With contract talks between the Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson at a standstill, the Bengals are reportedly open to trade offers, per NFL Network. Hendrickson is entering the final year of his four-year, $60 million deal this season.
At the end of July, Hendrickson, who has been seeking a new contract all offseason, said that the situation was "exactly the same" as it was earlier in contract talks. Though talks have stalled, the asking price for Hendrickson is significant, and would be steep for a team to cover it and the price of Hendrickson's new contract, per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.
Tension between the Bengals and Hendrickson first emerged at the end of last season, with the team officially giving the 30-year-old DE permission to seek a trade in March. Though the trade never materialized, Hendrickson said in May that he would not play on his current deal after expressing his frustrations that the Bengals had not been communicating with his team.
When it came time for training camp, Hendrickson was initially a holdout, but eventually reported to camp despite not making progress on a new deal.
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Hendrickson told reporters that he decided to return to training camp so he wouldn't 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 significant money. In July, Pittsburgh Steelers pass 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, while Myles Garrett signed an extension with the Cleveland Browns that gives him $40 million per year.
Hendrickson, meanwhile, is set to earn just under $16 million next season under the current deal. The four-time Pro Bowler earned his first All-Pro selection last year, and is considered one of the best defensive players in the league — and certainly on the Bengals.
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