Hendrickson remains adamant that he doesn't want a short-term deal and feels he was promised an extension if he played well before leading the NFL in sacks last season. Earlier this offseason, the team granted him permission to seek a trade that never materialized.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson are at a crossroads. Broadly speaking, it's because they can't reach a contract extension agreement. But really, there's likely one specific holdup in the negotiations that could lead to a Hendrickson holdout if the problem isn't cleared up.

The Bengals used the No. 17 pick in last month's NFL draft to select Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart, potentially preparing for life without Hendrickson. The 30-year-old told reporters, "Circumstances changed post-draft. They’re starting to change very openly."