Bengals take step toward ending Trey Hendrickson drama

The Cincinnati Bengals may finally be making a move to put the drama with Trey Hendrickson behind them.

The Bengals have resumed contract talks with Hendrickson’s camp, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. While there are no indications that the two sides are close to a deal, the fact that they are talking at all is seen as a positive sign after a very tense offseason.

Hendrickson may have backed the Bengals into a corner. He has very publicly voiced his frustration with how contract talks have gone this offseason. The 30-year-old is entering the final season of his current contract, and is vocally seeking a big increase on his $16 million salary.

Hendrickson already skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp this past week, costing him nearly $105,000 in fines. Reports have suggested he is willing to take even more drastic steps if he does not get a new contract by the start of the regular season.

Hendrickson had 35 sacks over the past two seasons, which was the most in the NFL during that span. He had 17.5 sacks each season and finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting last year.

The Bengals have already handed out new contracts to wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins earlier this offseason. The Hendrickson situation has started to overshadow that, as have the ongoing issues with one of their first-round picks recently.