Trey Hendrickson still doesn't have a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The longer the deal isn't done, the more the suspense will build.
And one NFL insider expects Hendrickson to stay away in the meantime.
Here's what ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote on Wednesday:
"There's no update with defensive end Trey Hendrickson's contract situation, which is at a stalemate. My read on the situation is that Hendrickson is convicted enough to stay away from the team, having no interest in playing on his scheduled $16 million salary in 2025. Right now this is a waiting game."
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The Bengals drafted highly touted edge rusher Shemar Stewart, and Fowler says he could take on Hendrickson's duties in the meantime.
Cincinnati would surely like Hendrickson to be Stewart's mentor rather than this scenario, but it's certainly in play now.
A holdout would be a huge blow for a Bengals team looking to bounce back in 2025. Hendrickson is the leader of a subpar defense.
Hendrickson has 17.5 sacks each of the past two seasons.
He likely wants close to the four years and $160 million that Myles Garrett got from the Browns.
In the meantime, Bengals fans will hold their breath for positive news.
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