On a morning when the Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to roar back to life—when every hopeful, bruised, and battle-tested vet was due to trickle into the Kettering Health Practice Fields, Trey Hendrickson’s story took a drastic turn.

Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation continues to hover over the opening of Bengals training camp. As the situation lingers, owner Mike Brown struck an optimistic tone when asked about Hendrickson on Monday.

There's optimism that the Cincinnati Bengals and Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson can reach an agreement on a new contract extension.

Mike Brown dropped his thoughts on the Trey Hendrickson situation during Monday's annual media luncheon and echoed the sentiments of Duke Tobin. Both want to get Hendrickson a raise and back on the practice field as the Bengals best defender fights to make more than $16 million in cash this coming season.

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown commented on rookie first round pick Shemar Stewart refusing to sign his rookie contract and the language in the deal

Bengals executives Mike Brown and Duke Tobin offered updates on the Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart situations on Monday.

Joe Burrow has witnessed how the Cincinnati Bengals and defensive star Trey Hendrickson have been at a contractual war. Now, team owner Mike Brown has voiced his intentions on the matter.

"I hope Shemar (Stewart) comes in. He needs to be here," Tobin said, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. The holdup for Stewart, the No. 17 overall pick in April, and the Bengals continues to be a disagreement in his contract's language over future guaranteed money. and the payout structure of his signing bonus.

The Cincinnati Bengals are just days away from starting training camp on the 2025 season and the future of one of their best players is still uncertain.