There's no end in sight for the contract dispute between the Bengals and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. How did we get here? What could be next?

With the preseason over and the Bengals facing down final cuts ahead of Week 1, now feels like the optimal time for the contract standoff with Hendrickson to come to a close. A social media post from Hendrickson himself seems to hint as much, too.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) watches from the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. The Colts won 41-14. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images