Bengals Make Major Move with Trey Hendrickson Contract Update

May there finally be movement on the Trey Hendrickson front?

The All-Pro pass rusher has been holding out of the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason program in hopes of securing a contract extension. By missing the three days of mandatory minicamp, he has been subject to $105,000 in fines.

The decision shouldn't be whether Cincy wants to keep Hendrickson ... that's a no brainer.

What has caused this dispute is the terms, like the dollar amount and long-term security. Earlier this offseason, Hendrickson appeared in street clothes to voice his stern remarks about the situation in the hopes that the Bengals' front office starts holding their end of the negotiations.

Now, for the first time in months, we may have progress.

Sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the Bengals have resumed communication with Hendrickson about his contract.

Hendrickson, 30, is coming off back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks, last year leading the league with that total.

"When there's a lack of communication in any relationship, where it's a business or personal relationship, lack of communication leads to animosity, and that leaves my narrative only to me with no clear direction," Hendrickson said May 13 when asked about his future with the organization.

The Bengals hope they can ramp up communication with Hendrickson to expedite a contract agreement before the team heads to training camp in late July.

Head coach Zac Taylor emphasized how much the team needs their defensive cornerstone at practice.

"I think anytime you have great players, you want them to be around," Taylor said. "That's just a decision he's got going on right now, and we'll keep focusing on the guys that are here."

For those who are present, like star quarterback Joe Burrow, Hendrickson's return eliminates any risk of a distraction. When Burrow was asked if this situation had turned into one already, he replied "of course".

"You'd love to have [no contract disputes], but that's life in the NFL," Burrow said. "We're all supporting Trey and would love to have him back."

There is a long way to go before Hendrickson is content on returning, but the Bengals are finally coming around to making that happen.