The Bengals drafted edge rusher Shemar Stewart in the first round, though his arrival didn't appear to have much of an impact on Hendrickson's status for 2025. In an odd twist, Stewart also has a contract issue with the Bengals and just sat out of rookie minicamp.

"No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post-draft," Hendrickson said to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level.