Trey Hendrickson Notes Key Teammate Relationship He Can't Build Amidst Contract Dispute

 The Athletic's Dianna Russini posted an expanded look at her Tuesday conversation with Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The frustrated Hendrickson left the state to not be an on-field distraction at training camp this week.

Hendrickson noted to Russini that his camp received two contract offers recently that did not approach the number of guaranteed years he wanted (reportedly one fully-guaranteed year offered, as opposed to the typical three agreed to by this offseason's top pass rushers).

He wants to pass the baton of knowledge down to Shemar Stewart and put all of this behind him.

“I was more than willing to take less in some ways in order to make a deal work to accommodate the presented needs," He told Russini. "I verbalized to the Bengals that I wanted to be a captain, to lead a young defense. And once rookie Shemar Stewart gets back at camp, I want to pass along the knowledge that I have, just like Cam Jordan once did for me. As I see it, Shemar and I are not competitors; we’re teammates. I’m excited to go to work with him when the time comes.”

Had the Bengals figured out both contracts promptly, that relationship would've already started getting forged in May. Now, they've let the spring go by (and the start of training camp) without what could be its two best defensive ends this coming season.

The waiting game continues as Cincinnati kicks off training camp at 10 AM ET on Wednesday.