Bengals Trey Hendrickson Update Includes Trade Hint

Earlier in the offseason, star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson requested that the Cincinnati Bengals grant him the opportunity to seek a trade package, to which general manager Duke Tobin obliged.

Since then? The situation surrounding his new contract eligibility has turned into a dramatic soap opera with every episode leading more to believe Hendrickson's time in Cincy could be coming to a close.

After a wave of rumblings and reported frustration on Hendrickson's part, the rumors began to subside as we approached the NFL Draft. Then in the first round, the Bengals selected edge rusher prospect Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M No. 17 overall.

Although some thought the draft pick was an insurance play for if they lose Hendrickson, the Bengals could greatly benefit from the duo playing off one another on the D-line. Hendrickson and his eight-year NFL career would provide veteran leadership to the young Stewart.

That is, if any progress is made on him agreeing to a new contract with the club.

Ian Rapoport's latest message on The Pat McAfee Show this week may serve as another concerning report of the current state of Hendrickson's negotiations.

"I think that was by design that everything went quiet," Rapoport said. "He made his point, I think it was received, very received. There has been some communication between the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson since that interview, since the draft, there have been talks. [The Bengals] picked Shemar Stewart off the edge. I think he understands that.

"I think they want to do a deal. Now, a trade I would never rule out a trade, because the NFL trades could happen literally at any moment ... But I think they want to keep him. The Bengals sometimes function maybe a little slower than some organizations, but they do want to keep him and do a deal."

Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last year and hit that total for the second year in a row, will command a contract that is near the upper echelon of all defensive players in NFL history.

Earlier this offseason, defensive line counterparts Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett each signed historic contracts reaching $40 million a year. Micah Parsons in Dallas is another elite candidate to meet that number this year as well.

All signs - for now - point to Cincinnati wanting to re-sign Hendrickson, but as we begin ramping up offseason operations, it will be harder to keep this communication up if Trey continues his holdout.