Football and politics usually mix like oil and water. One side is about Sunday escapes; the other is about, well, everything else. But lately, things have gotten weird in Cincinnati. If you follow the Bengals, you’ve likely seen the name JD Vance popping up next to star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. It isn't just a random "Go Bengals" tweet from a politician. It has turned into a public campaign involving contract leverage, vice-presidential "offers," and a whole lot of questions about where sports ends and government influence begins.
Vance isn't just a casual fan. He grew up in Middletown, Ohio—just a short hop from Paycor Stadium. He lived through the "Bungles" era of the 90s, the era of heartbreak and draft busts. So, when he talks about the team, it’s coming from a place of deep-seated, generational frustration. And right now, his frustration is aimed squarely at the Bengals’ front office regarding their best defensive player.
💡 You might also like: New Orleans Saints Record: What Most People Get Wrong
The VP’s Stance on the Trey Hendrickson Contract Saga
Let’s be real: the Bengals are notoriously tight-fisted. Mike Brown has a reputation for being "thrifty" that dates back decades. But Trey Hendrickson is a different beast. We’re talking about a guy who put up 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons. That is elite. That is "generational talent" territory, as Vance puts it.
The drama really heated up in mid-2025. Hendrickson had been vocal about being underpaid, pointing to the massive deals handed out to guys like Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett. He basically told the Bengals, "Pay me or trade me." For a while, the team did neither. They sat on their hands while Hendrickson skipped OTAs and minicamps.
Then, JD Vance stepped in. During a podcast appearance with Theo Von, Vance didn't hold back. He flat-out said the team has to pay Hendrickson if they want a Super Bowl. He compared the current value of edge rushers to how everyone suddenly realized left tackles were essential ten years ago. It was a savvy football take, honestly. But he didn't stop at analysis.
📖 Related: What's a Grand Slam in Baseball? The High Stakes of the Game's Loudest Moment
The "Offer" No One Saw Coming
Vance made a public plea to Hendrickson that was half-joke, half-political strategy. He told the star:
"If you're a Republican, I will show up to a Bengals game and take a photo with you if you sign. If you’re a Democrat, I’ll stay the hell away. Just sign."
It sounds funny, but it highlights a shift. You’ve got the Vice President of the United States actively lobbying an NFL player to stay in a specific market. Some fans loved it, thinking any pressure on the front office is good pressure. Others found it a bit much. Does a VP really need to be weighing in on whether a defensive end gets $30 million versus $25 million? Probably not, but in the world of 2026, the lines are blurred.
Why the Bengals Finally Budged
By August 2025, the pressure was at a boiling point. The Bengals had already backed up the truck for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making them the richest receiving duo in the league. The defense, meanwhile, looked like it might crumble without its anchor. Hendrickson was holding firm on his "I won't play" stance.
Eventually, the Bengals blinked. They didn't give him the long-term, five-year security he originally wanted, but they gave him a massive one-year "balloon" raise. We're talking a $30 million package for the 2025 season. It was a band-aid. A very expensive, gold-plated band-aid.
Hendrickson returned, recorded four sacks in the first seven games, and then... disaster. A core muscle injury sidelined him for the back half of the 2025 season. Now, as we sit in January 2026, the connection between JD Vance and Trey Hendrickson is relevant again because Hendrickson is heading into free agency in March. The one-year deal is up.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Connection
Most people think Vance is just trying to score points with Ohio voters. While that's surely part of it, there’s a more nuanced layer here. Vance’s brother is running for Mayor of Cincinnati. His family is deeply rooted in the local economy. A winning Bengals team isn't just good for "vibes"—it's a massive economic driver for the city.
There's also been some weird "political vetting" rumors. Some reports from The Athletic suggested that an unnamed political official (not necessarily Vance himself, but someone in that orbit) was asking questions about Hendrickson’s past donations and public statements. It’s a bit chilling to think an athlete’s contract extension could be influenced by their voter registration.
The Reality of the 2026 Offseason
So, what happens now? Hendrickson is 31. He’s coming off a major injury. The Bengals' Director of Player Personnel, Duke Tobin, has been non-committal. He recently said that while "pass rush is king," the team has to decide how to move forward with a long list of free agents.
If the Bengals let Hendrickson walk, it’ll be a PR nightmare, and you can bet JD Vance will have something to say about it. Vance has positioned himself as the "fan-in-chief" for the Bengals, and losing a "generational talent" over a few million dollars doesn't fit the championship narrative he’s pushing.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you’re following this saga, here are a few things to keep an eye on over the next few weeks:
👉 See also: What Channel is the Buckeye Game on Today? How to Watch Ohio State This Friday
- Watch the Franchise Tag: The Bengals could tag Hendrickson, but it would cost them over $30 million against the cap for 2026. Given his age and recent injury, that's a massive gamble.
- Monitor the Rhetoric: See if Vance continues to use the Bengals as a talking point. If he stops mentioning Hendrickson, it might signal that his team has "vetted" the situation and sees the player moving on.
- The "Burrow Factor": Joe Burrow has also gone on record saying Hendrickson needs to be paid. When your franchise QB and the VP are on the same side, the front office is in a corner.
The intersection of JD Vance and Trey Hendrickson represents a new era of sports. It's no longer just about stats and cap hits; it's about public narrative, political leverage, and the sheer power of a high-profile endorsement. Whether Hendrickson stays in stripes or heads to a contender like the Lions or Rams, his legacy in Cincinnati will always be tied to this strange moment where a politician tried to play GM.
The next few weeks leading up to the March free agency period will tell us if the "Vance Effect" actually has teeth, or if Mike Brown’s checkbook remains the only thing that truly matters in Cincinnati. Keep an eye on the official NFL transaction wire; that's where the talking stops and the reality begins.