PTI – August 26, 2025

What Does New Trey Hendrickson Deal Mean for the Bengals?

Hosts: Frank Isola (guest hosting for Tony & Mike), Mina Kimes
Main Theme: The impact of Trey Hendrickson’s new contract with the Bengals and wider NFL/NBA/MLB headlines

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the implications of Trey Hendrickson's new contract extension for the Cincinnati Bengals, scrutinizes the franchise's short- and long-term strategy, assesses related NFL quarterback moves, and touches on key MLB and US Open tennis storylines. With Tony and Mike away, Frank Isola and Mina Kimes bring witty banter and sharp analysis on the day’s top sports topics.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Trey Hendrickson’s New Deal: Bengals' Dilemma

[00:51–04:40]

• Details of the Deal:
  Trey Hendrickson, reigning NFL sack leader, agrees to a one-year, $30 million contract extension that makes him an unrestricted free agent after the season.

• Mina Kimes’ Take:

  • “This is Trey Hendrickson essentially betting on himself, and I don’t blame him.” — Mina Kimes [01:38]
  • Notes the Bengals’ reluctance to sign him long-term due to age concerns, signaling he’s likely not in Cincinnati past 2025.
  • Worries about the Bengals' lack of proven replacement pass rushers, mentioning rookie Shemar Stewart’s underwhelming college sack numbers.

• Frank Isola’s Angle:

  • Suggests Joe Burrow’s influence over Bengals' personnel decisions:
    “Joe Burrow has a lot of influence... He wanted Chase signed, Higgins signed…the tight end signed, and Hendrickson. They all got signed.” — Frank Isola [02:40]
  • Raises statistical concerns: despite a prolific offense, the Bengals' defense allowed more points than all but five teams last season and struggled in high-scoring games.

• Defensive Issues Remain:

  • Mina points out Hendrickson’s pass rush prowess doesn’t solve poor run defense, recalling how the starters got “gashed on the ground” in preseason versus Washington [03:50].
  • Frank references the Bengals' perennial slow starts:
    “Under their head coach in the first two weeks... 1 and 11. They’re constantly playing from behind. Right. You can’t win like that in the NFL.” — Frank Isola [04:09]

2. Raiders’ Moves: Pickett & Cooper In, Myers Wants Out

[04:40–06:48]

• Kenny Pickett Trade:

  • Meant to bolster depth with Aidan O’Connell injured; Frank and Mina see it as smart business for the Browns, who get a draft pick for a surplus QB.

• Amari Cooper Returns; Jacoby Myers Requests Trade:

  • Mina believes the Raiders’ offense, now led by Geno Smith and new weapon Ashton Gentry, is set to surprise:
    “I believe the single biggest upgrade at the quarterback position in the NFL [is Geno Smith].” — Mina Kimes [05:27]

• Cleveland’s QB Carousel:

  • Dylan Gabriel promoted, Shadur Sanders now QB3, and Joe Flacco starting.
  • Both hosts speculate Browns’ likely 2026 quarterback “is not on their roster.” [06:48]

3. NFC Quarterback Changes: Saints Roll with Rattler

[07:42–10:25]

• Saints Name Spencer Rattler Starter:

  • Frank calls the QB competition “pretty even,” argues neither option is inspiring, and notes the team’s late decision hints at organizational uncertainty.
  • “I think we know that this team’s not going to be very good." — Frank Isola [08:05]

• Mina’s Caution:

  • Rattler played in tough conditions last year, but expectation was rookie Tyler Shuck would be “more pro ready.” His inability to win the job outright is “apprehensive” for fans [09:47].
  • Both agree the Saints and Browns will likely be in the QB market for 2026.

4. Around the Leagues: MLB & US Open Headlines

[12:46–17:08]

Wilson Contreras’ Outburst

• Called “fortunate” (Frank) and “suspendable” (Mina) after he was ejected for arguing and throwing his bat — narrowly missing the ump and hitting the batting coach.
  “If that had hit the umpire, he’d be in big trouble. He still might be in trouble.” — Frank Isola [13:08]
  “He is looking straight at the umpire…You can’t throw a bat at an umpire.” — Mina Kimes [13:32]

Cal Raleigh’s Home Run Feat

• Cal Raleigh hits No. 50, drawing praise for a historically undervalued campaign.
  “Only Cal Raleigh and Mickey Mantle, folks…only switch hitters to at least 50 home runs.” — Frank Isola [15:27]
  “He became the first hitter ever to hit 20 from both sides…It’s an amazing story of player development.” — Mina Kimes [15:45]

Venus Williams at the US Open

• At 45, Venus nearly upsets a top seed, earning admiration:
  “She’s just playing right now for love of the game. And I think that’s so cool.” — Mina Kimes [17:56]
  “She still wants to be out there at 45 playing says a lot.” — Frank Isola [17:08]

5. Rapid Fire / The Big Finish

[20:29–24:35]

• Kyren Williams gets paid: Rams RB rewarded for a heavy workload. [21:03]
• Lionel Messi’s MLS debut remembered: Frank laments his view blocked during a historic goal. [21:20]
• Carlos Alcaraz’s haircut: Noted for humor and superstition at the US Open. [22:20]
• Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift engaged:
  • “Maybe the knowledge that he was getting married is going to give him a credible season.” — Mina Kimes [23:28]
• NFL Moves:
  • Tommy DeVito released by Giants [23:43]
  • Packers waive Mecole Hardman [23:58]
  • Guardians lose sixth straight — postseason hopes fading [24:13]
  • Coco Gauff’s US Open campaign starts [24:26]

Notable Quotes

• “We value you. We like you. We just don’t want you to be around after you turn 30. Which sounds like a lot of men I’ve met, frankly.” — Mina Kimes on the Bengals and Hendrickson [01:54]
• “With a defense…last year, the Bengals…allowed more points than just five other teams.” — Frank Isola [03:09]
• “He’s a terrific defensive player. But is their defense good enough?” — Frank Isola [03:20]
• “The entire premise behind drafting Tyler Shuck was that he was more pro ready than everyone else. …If I’m a Saints fan, I’m a little apprehensive that he didn’t win this job outright.” — Mina Kimes [09:47]
• “She’s so accomplished…She’s just playing right now for love of the game.” — Mina Kimes, about Venus Williams [17:56]
• “He is looking straight at the umpire…You can’t throw a bat at an umpire.”— Mina Kimes, on Wilson Contreras [13:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:51–04:40] Bengals re-sign Trey Hendrickson, impact and doubts
• [04:40–07:25] Raiders QB/WR moves and Browns’ uncertain QB room
• [07:42–10:25] Saints name Spencer Rattler starter
• [12:46–14:55] Contreras outburst and decline of Cardinals fandom
• [14:59–17:08] Cal Raleigh’s historic home run mark; Venus Williams’ US Open performance
• [20:29–24:35] Quick hits: Rams, Messi, Alcaraz, celebrity sports headlines

Episode Tone & Style

Frank and Mina alternate between incisive football analysis and playful back-and-forth, blending stats, team-building discussion, and pop-culture references in a style true to PTI’s legacy of accessible, rapid-fire debate.

End of summary.