The Cincinnati Bengals management is usually viewed as the cheap, frugal villains when it comes to contract negotiations. They have shown, however, when it comes to their star players like quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja"Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they open their books and have the ability to write the big checks.
Sources indicate the Bengals are playing fair with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and have been since free agency started. The Bengals allowed Hendrickson to seek a trade to another team who would give the Bengals proper compensation and nothing materialized.
They then reeled Hendrickson back into the fold, made nice and have been trying to negotiate an extension in good faith. Katie Blackburn, the executive vice president of the Bengals, who handles much of the negotiations, said Hendrickson has to realize what his value is and accept a fair deal.
That might not happen. ... with $30 million APY as the number dangling in the air.
So, as insurance ...
Accordingly, the Bengals need to draft his eventual replacement. As such, the Bengals should draft Mike Green, the big edge rusher from Marshall University in the first round.
There is a supposed "behavioral risk'' with Green; In fact, while he's never been found guilty of anything, he's had to discuss with teams the two sexual assault allegations that have been made against him.
Still ...
NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah had glowing things to say about Green.
"Green would be an outstanding compliment to Trey Hendrickson if the Bengals are able to work things out with their star defensive end," Jeremiah said.
Green is super quick off the ball, has a great first step and is a pure first-round talent. At his Pro Day, he ran a 4.25 short shuttle and 6.85 three-cone drill, which are both above the average for NFL defensive ends.
Cincy needs to keep working on that Trey contract ... and needs to check those 'behavioral risk'' issues on Green.
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