The Cincinnati Bengals locked up both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase yesterday, and they have one more domino to fall. His name is Trey Hendrickson, and it seems like there has started to be some traction there.
With Joe Burrow taken care of as well, the Bengals must turn their attention to improving the Al Golden-led defense. Hendrickson, who has tallied 35 sacks in the last two seasons combined, wants a long-term deal, and the Bengals clearly get on the same page with either his per-year worth or the length of contract he’s seeking.
Both could be hurdles, but the best news is that the sides are pushing for an extension.
Now, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the two sides are engaged on a new deal, which could happen soon.
“The Bengals have done a lot right over the course of the last several days and weeks...(they) may be on the verge of doing it again,” Rapoport said of Hendrickson.
The Bengals desperately need Hendrickson, who was really the only production on their defensive edge last season. He has had 13.5 or more sacks in four of his last five seasons, so the 30-year-old defensive end has had an incredibly productive career so far. With a few years left at that level, it will be interesting to see how long the Bengals tie him up for if a deal can be hammered out.
It seems the Cincinnati asking price, since Hendrickson still has a year left on his contract, is steep, so a trade may not be likely, especially if the Bengals would prefer to have another Super Bowl run left in this fully-stacked roster.
Nonetheless, let’s hope for the best and that a long-term deal can be reached before April’s NFL Draft kicks off.