The NFL Draft was the main course for the Cincinnati Bengals this week, and edge defender Trey Hendrickson inserted himself as a surprising appetizer when he requested a trade a day before the draft began.
Head coach Zac Taylor said what everybody knew on Saturday following the draft: He expects Hendrickson to play in Cincinnati this year. The Bengals didn't take an edge early in the draft to replace the three-time Pro Bowler, and trading away their best players is not what the front office is known for doing.
The communication, however, between the top of the franchise and Hendrickson has to show signs of growth. That growth may be taking place soon.
Bengals reportedly talking to Trey Hendrickson soon
Now that the draft is in the rearview, the Bengals can give the Hendrickson situation some needed attention. ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reports that both sides will talk sometime this upcoming week.
"[Hendrickson] wants another update and feels like he's outplayed his contract, and this is dating back to a couple of years ago where he held out of offseason workouts. He hasn't been overly happy with his deal, feels like he's outperformed it. They did a one-year, $21 million bridge deal a year ago, but he wants to re-up. I'm told they are supposed to talk this week, so maybe there's some optimism there coming up." - ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
Hendrickson's trade request seemingly came out of left field because of the fact that he signed an extension less than one year ago. NFL clubs aren't even allowed to agree on new extensions within a year of the prior contract being agreed upon.
If the one-year, $21 million extension Hendrickson signed was just a holdover until a larger deal came into place 12 months later, and the Bengals decide to back out of their end of the agreement, then Hendrickson is justified for feeling wronged.
Regardless, the Bengals rarely fold in the face of a trade request. Jonah Williams learned that, and Tee Higgins is in the process of learning that as well.
The Bengals have no plans to trade Hendrickson away, but they may be open to adding on more to his existing contract again. Both sides communicating at all is a positive step towards the situation subsiding.
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