With contract talks between the Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive finish Trey Hendrickson at a standstill, the Bengals are reportedly open to trade offers, per the NFL Network. Hendrickson is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his four-year, $60 million deal this season.
At the top of July, Hendrickson, who has been searching for a brand new contract all offseason, stated that the state of affairs was “exactly the same” as it was earlier in contract talks. Though talks have stalled, the asking value for Hendrickson is critical, and can be steep for a staff to cowl it and the worth of Hendrickson’s new contract, per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.
Tension between the Bengals and Hendrickson first emerged on the finish of final season, with the staff formally giving the 30-year-old DE permission to seek a trade in March. Though the trade by no means materialized, Hendrickson said in May that he would not play on his current deal after expressing his frustrations that the Bengals had not been speaking together with his staff.
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When it got here time for coaching camp, Hendrickson was initially a holdout, however eventually reported to camp regardless of not making progress on a brand new deal.
Hendrickson instructed reporters that he determined to return to coaching camp so he would not be a distraction to his teammates.
“I want to help the guys, the guys that have helped me along the way. Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, even Sam Hubbard helped me a lot when I was here. To be that, right now, I think that’s what’s most important. This [contract] narrative will kinda iron itself out as we continue to progress towards the season,” he said at the time.
Hendrickson’s hold-in comes as defensive stars are getting vital cash. In July, Pittsburgh Steelers go rusher T.J. Watt signed a record three-year, $123 million extension; in March, the Las Vegas Raiders and Maxx Crosby agreed to a three-year, $106.5 million deal, whereas Myles Garrett signed an extension with the Cleveland Browns that gives him $40 million per year.
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Hendrickson, in the meantime, is ready to earn just below $16 million subsequent season below the present deal. The four-time Pro Bowler earned his first All-Pro choice final 12 months, and is taken into account top-of-the-line defensive gamers within the league — and definitely on the Bengals.