Overview

• NFL Network reports the Bengals have opened discussions while Hendrickson continues a training-camp hold-in and has said he will not play under his current 2025 deal.
• The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the club’s target return is a young defender plus a 2026 first-rounder, and the defender does not have to be a pass rusher.
• Interest has surfaced from the Panthers, Colts and Browns, though multiple reports characterize an in-division trade to Cleveland as unlikely.
• Beat reporters and league sources caution that a deal is difficult at this stage because of cap hurdles and the need for a new contract, with some saying the late timing likely reduced Cincinnati’s potential return.
• Owner Mike Brown has said the team wants Hendrickson to stay, highlighting the stakes given his back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and league-leading total in 2024.