“Releasing will be an option,” Dehner believes while noting the team would free up $3.5 million in cap space if they did so. The Bengals have already brought in Samaje Perine behind Chase Brown this offseason, and if they draft a running back next weekend, it should probably be viewed as an admission that they don’t think Moss will play. Dynasty teams that have been holding on to Moss should be aware that he’s not exactly a must-roster at this point.

Kendall, who covers a team that would seem to be very motivated to acquire Hendrickson in the Falcons, would be a good candidate to be sniffing around this information. Hendrickson has floated in quasi-limbo with his contract this offseason as the Bengals don’t appear to be willing to meet his demands. The asking price of a first-round pick seems unrealistic for a player entering his age-31 season, even one as good as Hendrickson was last year. The combination of those two things means we could be in for an extended impasse.

Hendrickson said the Bengals told him a deal would get done this offseason. He also noted that he began asking for a long-term deal with guaranteed money three years ago. Earlier this week, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said the team is still working on a potential extension, though Hendrickson didn’t make it sound like a deal was imminent when talking to McAfee. The Bengals have prioritized bringing their offensive players back in thus far. Ja’Marr Chase was made the highest-paid non-quarterback this offseason while Tee Higgins got a healthy contract extension as well. Hendrickson is currently the odd man out and could be headed for free agency next offseason.

This aligns with previous reports from earlier in the month that said the Bengals were still hoping to get a new deal done for Hendrickson, who is in the final year of his contract. The Bengals recently gave record-setting deals to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, which could make a new deal for Hendrickson difficult, but for now, both sides are attempting to get something done. Hendrickson is one of the premiere pass rushers in the league and has totaled 35 sacks over the last two seasons. If he and the Bengals can’t agree to a new deal, several teams will be lining up to trade for and extend the 30-year-old star.