The Cincinnati Bengals signed plenty of free agents earlier this offseason, yet they have failed to resolve contract situations involving two of the franchise’s best players. Rising star wide receiver Tee Higgins already requested a trade — he wasn’t alone in his frustration.
The Bengals are forced to deal with another distraction as the 2024 NFL Draft begins tonight. It will be interesting to see if Cincinnati honors either of the trade requests and moves either player during the event.
All of that and more in today’s Bengals news!
Cincinnati Bengals News Today
Why Trey Hendrickson’s Trade Request From Bengals Could Differ from Jonah Williams’, Tee Higgins’
As the Bengals continue to work through Higgins’ trade request, star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson reportedly requested a trade on Wednesday.
Hendrickson is seeking a contract extension, and the Bengals have yet to agree on a deal with arguably the team’s best defensive players.
Pro Football Network Bengals Insider Jay Morrison explains why Hendrickson’s request is unlike the situations involving Higgins and Jonah Williams in the past.
READ MORE: Analyzing Trey Hendrickson’s Trade Request
Trey Hendrickson Landing Spots: Cardinals, Falcons Possible Fits After Shocking Trade Request
It’s obvious that the timing of Hendrickson’s request is due to the 2024 NFL Draft beginning on Thursday.
Now, Hendrickson and his agent are putting pressure on Cincinnati as the team will be forced to decide between negotiating a contract extension or landing trade assets in this year’s draft.
Pro Football Network’s Josiah Caswell analyzed potential landing spots for Hendrickson in a draft-day deal.
CONTINUE READING: Potential Landing Spots for Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals Announce Huge Raise for Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase
While one of Cincinnati’s top wide receivers has requested a trade, Ja’Marr Chase likely isn’t going anywhere.
The Bengals officially exercised the fifth-year option of Chase’s rookie contract on Wednesday. Although the move is viewed as procedural, it’s worth noting given the questions surrounding Higgins’ future in Cincinnati.
Both Chase and the Bengals likely want to agree to terms on a massive contract extension before that fifth year is in play.
KEEP READING: Bengals Exercise Ja’Marr Chase’s Fifth-Year Option
Podcast: Predicting the Bengals’ 2024 NFL Draft Board
Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson and Morrison discussed several topics on the latest episode of The PFN Bengals Podcast.
The dynamic duo attempted to predict Cincinnati’s preferred prospects with each of their first five draft picks.
Robinson and Morrison also discussed how many offensive linemen will be selected in the first round, and who Cincinnati’s final selection in the 2024 NFL Draft will be.
LISTEN HERE: Latest Episode of The PFN Bengals Podcast
Joe Broback’s 3-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bengals Find D.J. Reader’s Replacement
Following the departure of D.J. Reader in free agency, many believe Cincinnati will target a defensive tackle early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pro Football Network’s Joe Broback released his final latest mock draft and has the Bengals selecting Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton at No. 18.
Newton would immediately contribute in Cincinnati and projects to be a dominant force in the trenches for the Bengals.
READ MORE: Pro Football Network’s Latest Mock Draft
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Find out how the PFN Scouting Department ranks this year’s prospects with our 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and follow along throughout the draft with our NFL team needs tracker.
