This doesn't sound great.
Bengals, Trey Hendrickson are 'nowhere close' on key contract detail amid trade rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson just can't get this contract done.
That's why trade talks are underway, even if they might not be close to matching up with anyone.
But it really comes down to one key detail in Hendrickson's extension negotiation: guaranteed money.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Monday night's broadcast that the sides are "nowhere close" on guarantees.
The Bengals classically don't give guaranteed money beyond the first year, although they made an exception to that for Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.
Apparently, they don't feel Hendrickson is worth a similar exception.
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Most star defenders get three years of guaranteed money on their new deals these days, so just one year, if that's what's on the table, is remarkably slim.
Hendrickson has 17.5 sacks each of the past two seasons. He's due to be paid $16 million this season, which he has said he won't play for. In reality, Hendrickson is worth at least double that in market value.
The Bengals are apparently seeking a steep trade cost to give Hendrickson up, which is then compounded for the acquiring team by needing to then give Hendrickson the big contract that Cincinnati isn't giving him.
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He still might be worth it. He's that good.
But the whole saga is complicated, and it feels far from over.
The resolution may come quickly, though, because Week 1 is less than three weeks away.
So stay tuned, because something big is coming down the chute, and no one knows what it is yet.
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Category: Football
