Bengals' Prolonged Trey Hendrickson Decision Means One Thing

Following a months long messy feud between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson, things are starting to clear up. The two sides expressed frustrations with the other earlier in the offseason before Hendrickson's blow up in front of reporters declared a temporary pause in their communication. 

The NFL's sacks leader demands a contract extension, wanting the top-dollar treatment of his peers on opposing defensive fronts. Unfortunately for the Bengals, rival edge rusher Myles Garrett reset the market earlier this offseason with an extension paying out $40 million per year. 

Now Hendrickson may not get that high of a figure but a yearly salary close to it is not out of the question. However, there is a problem (or two) that could throw a wrench in their plans if they do not act with urgency here. 

Both Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt are in the process of working out their own extensions with their respective teams. As CBS Sports' Joel Corry details, the market is set to get more expensive this summer and the Bengals should take caution. 

“The Bengals should be looking to get ahead of any additional changes with pass rushers that are foreseeable. The edge rusher market should continue to escalate before the regular season starts in September thanks to Micah Parsons and Watt. It's just a matter of time before the Cowboys pay Parsons at the top of the market. Aidan Hutchinson getting a contract extension from the Detroit Lions is also a possibility.

"A strong deal by Watt, in particular, will complicate matters between Hendrickson and the Bengals. There is about a two-month age gap with Hendrickson, as Watt turns 31 in October.”

Watt's proximity in age is certainly a threat to the Bengals here and if the Pittsburgh Steelers work faster to strike a deal, Hendrickson's price almost certainly goes up. This all comes with the Dallas Cowboys lurking in the background, unpredictable with when they will extend Parsons or how much that deal will be. 

It's been a bumpy road just to get anything resembling contract talks back on track. But if things are progressing, Cincinnati would be well advised to expedite the process and beat their competitors to getting a deal done.