ESPN Ranks Hendrickson ‘NFL’s Most Important Defensive Player’ Amid Bengals Contract Dispute originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Following months of long messy feud between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson, things are starting to clear up. … while also staying messy.

The two sides expressed frustrations with the other earlier in the offseason before Hendrickson’s blow up in front of reporters declared a temporary pause in their communication.

The NFL’s sacks leader demands a contract extension, wanting the top-dollar treatment of his peers on opposing defensive fronts. Unfortunately for the Bengals, rival edge rusher Myles Garrett reset the market earlier this offseason with an extension paying out $40 million per year.

Now Hendrickson may not get that high of a figure but a yearly salary close to it is not out of the question. However, there is a problem (or two) that could throw a wrench in their plans if they do not act with urgency here.

Both Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys) and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) are in the process of working out their own extensions with their respective teams. …

And ESPN experts are proclaiming that Hendrickson is “the most important defensive player in the NFL.”

“Yes,” Mina Kimes stated. “Myles Garrett is actually not that far behind, as I looked at that edge rushing group, but at least Myles Garrett has, like, good players behind him. Trey Hendrickson, he has so much leverage. Like, what a great case study in how much leverage a single player can have.”

Kimes might be right about Hendrickson’s talent and value.

But “leverage”? Along this bumpy road on which it seems hard for both sides to get anything resembling contract talks back on track, the Cincinnati front office either obviously disagrees … or stubbornly won’t admit it.