On Sunday, studies surfaced from NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport that the Cincinnati Bengals have been opening up commerce discussions on star move rusher Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson and the Bengals have been unable to return to phrases on a brand new contract this summer time, which has opened up the door to immense hypothesis about his future with the franchise.
Regardless of Sunday’s flurry of opposing groups’ followers placing collectively their finest commerce packages for the disgruntled star, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic supplied some much-needed context to the discussions.
“What I find out about Trey Hendrickson’s state of affairs: It hasn’t modified. This isn’t the Bengals casting a line out to drum up curiosity. The Bengals will at all times hear. The asking value continues to be vital. It’s extremely unlikely a group pays it — and in addition pay Trey,” he reported on X, previously Twitter.
If that is so, it will imply the Bengals are probably simply attempting to place extra strain on Hendrickson and his camp to return to phrases on a deal versus truly harboring a want to commerce him.
In the meantime, NFL insider Jordan Schultz additionally added to the flurry of reporting, noting that “The #Bengals need to preserve Trey Hendrickson, and Hendrickson himself desires to remain in Cincinnati and end his profession there,” however that the talks “preserve hitting a wall,” per a supply.
“There was some thought that Hendrickson reporting to camp would assist transfer issues ahead, however the identical contract points stay unresolved,” he added.
Robust occasions for the Bengals
The one factor maintaining the Cincinnati Bengals’ protection from being the worst unit within the NFL final 12 months was the move dashing brilliance of Hendrickson, who has set franchise information throughout his time with the group.
Even with Hendrickson within the lineup, the Bengals’ protection–or lack thereof–was nonetheless the clear motive that the group missed the playoffs for a second straight 12 months, however with out him, it is doable that Cincinnati might freefall all the best way all the way down to the NFL’s cellar.
The Bengals are slated to kick off their 2025 season on the highway towards the Cleveland Browns on September 7.