Bengals Reportedly Believe Trey Hendrickson Contract Talks Are 'As Far As We Can Go'

The Cincinnati Bengals and star defensive end Trey Hendrickson may have hit a standstill in their contract negotiations.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the two sides made some progress over the past week, but the Bengals have "relented as far as" they will go.

"I'm told there actually has been some progress on this deal over the last week or two in certain parts of it, but this is an issue of guaranteed money," Fowler reported on SportsCenter. "Hendrickson wants a stronger guaranteed structure, particularly later in what should be a multi-year deal. In talking to people with the Bengals they feel like, 'Hey, we've probably relented as far as we can go.' So this is a classic stare-off right now and it's time to buckle up."

Hendrickson has been seeking a new contract from the Bengals all offseason. He's set to earn $15.8 million in 2025 on his current deal.

Amid his frustrations over a lack of a deal, Hendrickson said in May that he felt as if talks were becoming "personal."

"A little transpired between me and [Bengals head coach Zac Taylor]," Hendrickson told reporters. "We’ve tried to keep it as little personal as possible. At some point, it becomes personal."

The Bengals reportedly gave Hendrickson permission to seek a deal earlier this offseason, but NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported in March that a trade was "off the table."

Despite the two sides still failing to reach a deal, Bengals owner Mike Brown expressed confidence about their contract negotiations last week.

"I could get into the negotiation," he told reporters. I'm not looking to offend Trey by saying something or justify where we are. I think we're in a good spot. I'm just going to leave it at that. You guys can say what you want. I'm not going to say much until it gets done."

Hendrickson doesn't have quite as much confidence, however. Manti Te'o said Tuesday on Good Morning Football that Hendrickson said the Bengals made him an "atrociously low" offer.

While the Bengals might not want to trade Hendrickson, it seems that might be their only choice unless they're willing to go higher on a deal.

Hendrickson, 30, is coming off the best season of his career, recording 46 tackles, 17.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year race.