The Cincinnati Bengals are once again handling a contract discussion poorly. This time, it's with the 2024 NFL sack leader.

The Lions are viewed as a team that has a need at the defensive end position, and Hendrickson was a First Team All-Pro last year after recording 17.5 sacks. Detroit already has one of the game's best young players at the position in Aidan Hutchinson, and the proposition of adding another would give them one of the league's best pass-rush duos.

Trey Hendrickson is locked in a stalemate with the Cincinnati Bengals over a contract dispute that seems about to turn nasty.

“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.”

The defensive end is slated to earn a base salary of $15.8million for the 2025 season, after agreeing a $21million extension in July 2023.

Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason long. One analyst believes he could ultimately end up with an AFC squad that needs more pass-rush help.