Key Players Trey Hendrickson and Terry McLaurin Gear Up for Crucial Season Ahead

The NFL season is right around the corner! Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders are rushing to the NFL curtain to make an immediate splash for their respective teams. Hendrickson recently wrapped up a breakout 2021 season where he led the NFL in sacks with 17.5. He’s turned himself into a game-wrecking force defensively. McLaurin enters the biggest of shoes as he heads into the last season of his deal. Worst of all, he’s recently returned from an ankle injury.

Trey Hendrickson just came off the best season of his career. All that hard work earned him a fourth Pro Bowl selection and his first All-Pro honor. His performance was instrumental in the Bengals’ defense, showcasing not only his skills but his importance to the team’s structure. From a financial perspective, Hendrickson is making $16 million in cash this season. That’s not much at all especially when stacked next to elite players at his position, such as Danielle Hunter, who currently makes twice that.

Relations has a very different story. He’s the 17th highest paid wide receiver in average annual salary. He was recently activated off the physically unable to perform list after dealing with an ankle injury for most of training camp. On the field, McLaurin always produced, clearing 1,000 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons. He had 13 receiving touchdowns, good for second most in the league last season, while ranking fourth in receptions and sixth in yards.

Both players are highly aware of what’s at stake. Both of them turning 30 by the end of September adds an uptick in urgency for them to put together great seasons. They have been privately dedicating themselves to rigorous training regimens, aiming to ensure they are ready to contribute as their teams embark on the new season.

Hendrickson proved his dedication to physical fitness by going through with his workout in Cincinnati. He returned briefly, then decamped to Florida for the summer. His relationship with the team has not soured though, even if he’s not taking part in all of the on-field training camp action. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the challenges of integrating players who have been absent:

“You keep the train moving and make sure everybody is up to speed. When you get that player back, whoever it is, however long they’ve been here, it’s always different.” – Zac Taylor

Similarly, McLaurin’s relationship with new quarterback Jayden Daniels has looked sharp ever since the start of fall camp. That rapport they developed will be useful as they again try to find the success that eluded them two seasons ago.

Bobby Engram, the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, highlighted the need for consistency and familiarity in performance:

“Terry and Jayden made a lot of plays last year, and last year doesn’t carry over. But the work you put in can.” – Bobby Engram

That feeling aligns perfectly with McLaurin’s mindset as he gets ready to return to the turf.

“They trust and know I’ve been putting the work in,” – Terry McLaurin

Hendrickson and McLaurin are both big on collaboration. They feel it is critically important to increasing their leverage in contract negotiations. Their respective teams need to continue to grow in the wake of their leadership and play to find success in the NHL’s cutthroat league.

Through training camp, the two players, though starting from different situations, encountered the same discouraging beginning. Because of that extended absence, Hendrickson focused on getting in condition while the hold-in progressed. On the other hand, McLaurin was looking forward to his return after recovering from an early-season injury.

“I’m glad [Hendrickson] is at least holding in versus holding out. Would we like him out on the field? Absolutely. But he’s working on the business side of things. That’s part of playing in this league.” – Logan Wilson