Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson Reportedly Reopens Contract Talks
The Bengals and Trey Hendrickson are reportedly back at the bargaining table.
Hendrickson, who did not attend mandatory minicamp last week, has resumed contract talks with the Bengals, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Resuming communication with Hendrickson could lay the groundwork for reaching a deal that would secure his future in Cincinnati.
The 30-year-old defensive end led the NFL in sacks last season (17.5) and is entering the final year of his contract. Hendrickson has been adamant that he won't return to action before signing a contract extension.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have another pass rusher who missed mandatory minicamp in rookie Shemar Stewart. The 17th overall pick had been attending meetings and practices this spring but reportedly left mandatory minicamp last week as his contract impasse continued.
According to Tyler Dragon of USA Today, the Bengals are attempting to change the language in the rookie's contract to "allow the team to void future guarantees." Stewart's representation is asking for his contract language to look the same as previous Cincinnati first-round picks.
Interviewed by reporters last week, Stewart sounded prepared for a lengthy holdout if it came to that and voiced support for Hendrickson.
"In my case, I'm 100% right, so it should be a no-brainer," Stewart said via NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. "In Trey's case, I think it should be a no-brainer, too. Seventeen-and-a-half sacks, two years back-to-back?"
Head Coach Zac Taylor said he could not predict if Stewart would be signed by training camp.
"I think for all the rookies, you'd like for them to be on the field," Taylor said via Dragon. "But certainly, there are things that happen throughout the course of an NFL career. This is one of them right now.
"He's been in the meetings. He's been positive in that way. He's been learning, he's been a good learner, and we look forward to him getting back on the field quickly."
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin 'Optimistic' About T.J. Watt Signing an Extension
All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt skipped the Steelers' mandatory minicamp last week as he continued to seek a contract extension.
Watt has a year left on his contract, but the market for pass rushers skyrocketed in recent months. Myles Garrett of the Browns agreed to a four-year extension in March worth a reported $40 million per season, which has likely impacted Pittsburgh's negotiations with Watt.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin remained "optimistic" that an agreement with Watt would be reached, but did not offer a timetable.
"I'm not going to get into speculation there," Tomlin said via Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. "You guys know what negotiations is about; I'm optimistic we're going to get things done because we got two sides that want things done. When that's going to occur, I don't know."
Cleveland Browns: Diontae Johnson Won't Let 'One Bad Year' Define Him
Diontae Johnson realizes his career is at a crossroads, after being with four different teams since March of last year.
Johnson was traded by the Steelers to the Carolina Panthers 15 months ago, then was traded to the Ravens last October. Baltimore released Johnson in December after he played just 39 snaps and was suspended for one week for conduct detrimental to the team. Johnson was picked up by the Houston Texans but was waived after two games.
Now the 28-year-old Johnson is with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year deal and says the Browns were the only team that contacted him during free agency. He hopes to change the negative narrative surrounding him by returning to his 2021 form when he made the Pro Bowl. The Browns are looking for a No. 2 receiver opposite Jerry Jeudy.
"One bad year," Johnson said via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. "It's one year. I had five great seasons in Pittsburgh. I had one year, that doesn't define me as a player, none of that, my character or none of that. So, like I said, everybody's going to say what they want to say about me, but I know who I am as a person deep down and that's all that matters to me.
"Just be myself and prove everybody wrong. That's my mindset. Keep going. Don't worry about the outside noise. Worry about what goes on between these gates. That's it."
