5 hours ago
(6 hours ago)3wt Wrote: I agree with most all of this Truck, and there is certainly culpability on both the part of Trey and his agent.
But three things:
1) Getting any agreement from the Bengals is like pulling teeth out of a razorback with your fingers
2) I don't care about the optics. It's time for the Bengals to step up and put together the kind of team that they have the resources to do.
The guy was the best pass rusher in the league last season and the only difference maker on a defense that was the # 1 reason they didn't
go to the playoffs. They drafted some talent to help boost that defense to be what is needed to be IF Trey is still on the team. If they
want to get a ring they need to stop diddling around and get their house in order.
3) As much as I have complained about Zach, his best work has been to build a culture that makes players want to be here and play for the Bengals.
Part of that culture is fed or starved by disrespecting and frustrating your players (to say nothing of letting the other good ones go). Why play
chicken with your own players? Let's make them feel that everyone is on the same team with winning as the primary goal. Make them feel
wanted, respected and psyched to have them playing for a championship team.
Your point 3 is particularly apropos and well stated. The Bengals management does hold the financial cards, but having their best defensive player (and a fan favorite) be disgruntled and seemingly disrespected really eats away at team culture. The Chiefs redid Mahomes contract when he exceeded the expected and when inferior QBs started getting more than Mahomes; whatever the Bengals management did, they certain mismanaged this situation to where it has become a major story -- and one not putting the Bengals in a good light.
