Report: Bengals, Hendrickson resume contract talks

The Cincinnati Bengals and disgruntled defensive end Trey Hendrickson have resumed communication about his contract, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, according to ESPN's Ben Baby.

There's reportedly optimism surrounding Hendrickson's future in Cincinnati.

The 30-year-old is entering the final season of his contract. He's been looking for a new deal after leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024. Hendrickson skipped mandatory minicamp this past week and has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the Bengals amid the contract dispute between the two sides.

Hendrickson said in May that Cincinnati wasn't communicating with him.

The Bengals reportedly gave their All-Pro pass-rusher permission to seek a trade in March but were still trying to reach an agreement on a new deal.

Hendrickson became a perennial Pro Bowler after joining the Bengals in 2021, and he's recorded at least 14 sacks in three of his four seasons with Cincinnati. The 2017 third-round pick previously played his first four NFL campaigns for the New Orleans Saints.