It hardly comes as a surprise as Hendrickson has refused to play on his current contract and has said there’s been no communication between his agent and the Bengals during this protracted holdout. Hendrickson, set to make $15.8 million in 2025, reportedly wants upwards of $30 million as he enters his age-31 season. The famously cheap Bengals appear unlikely to meet that demand, meaning Hendrickson could be traded to an EDGE-needy team willing to eat most or all of his contract. Pro Football Focus graded Hendrickson as the NFL’s fifth best pass rusher in 2024.

Hendrickson is in search of a new contract and has already said he won’t play on his current deal. The Bengals have been playing hardball with him over an extension, seemingly for years, and now they could be without the 2024 sack leader for the upcoming season because of their stubbornness. Hendrickson has spoken publicly about his frustration over the negotiations and the relationship appears to be all but ruined. Losing Hendrickson would take Cincy’s defense from bad to worse a year after they gave up the eighth-most points in the NFL.

Per Sports Illustrated’s Jay Morrison, Taylor said Burton has been “in the building outside of work hours, doing his own thing, prehabbing to get his body right” and is attacking “practice the right way.” Burton has reportedly declined interview requests, focusing instead on his work and there appears to be a “lighter air about him.” Joe Burrow noted that Burton seems to have “matured,” adding that “he’s in a good spot mentally and physically.” Morrison also plainly states that WRs “Kendrick Pryor and Isaiah Williams would shoot past Burton if there’s another transgression,” though Burton does technically occupy the No. 4 wide receiver spot. Burton has a long way to go before he should be considered as a serious late-round option in re-draft formats but if he continues to improve his standing with the team, he could get there with a standout training camp performance.

Per ESPN’s Ben Baby, the Bengals reduced Volson’s $3.7 million base salary, increased his 2025 guaranteed money and gave him “the opportunity to earn more cash, depending on how the battle at guard shakes out.” That’s a doozy. Regardless, Volson is tasked with fending off third-round rookie, OG Dylan Fairchild, for the starting left guard role. Per PFF run-blocking grades, Volson has improved as a run blocker in each of his three NFL seasons, earning a career-best 65.6 PFF run-blocking grade last season. He has failed to develop as a pass protector having allowed 43 quarterback pressures last year, the most among current Bengals offensive linemen. Fairchild allowed just 14 quarterback pressures in his two seasons serving as a Georgia Bulldogs starter.