Bengals' Shemar Stewart situation depends on Trey Hendrickson contract negotiations

The Cincinnati Bengals' two best pass rushers are both holding out.

Trey Hendrickson, the veteran with 17.5 sacks each of the past two seasons, wants a new contract.

Shemar Stewart, the first-round rookie, wants improved language in his first NFL deal.

Right now, the Bengals are looking at a toothless defense unless some resolutions are reached.

ESPN's Ben Solak explains, though, that Stewart's situation is hinging a lot on Hendrickson.

Here's Solak's thinking: 

"The Stewart situation feels tied to the Hendrickson situation. If Hendrickson is holding out (or holding in, as that's the method these days), then the Bengals will swiftly revert their rookie contract language and get Stewart practicing -- they need him even more than they thought. But what if the Hendrickson deal gets done before camp? I can see the Bengals 'losing' the Hendrickson negotiation (i.e., paying him a bajillion dollars), and digging their heels in on the Stewart contract as a result."

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That does make sense.

It would seem Hendrickson, as the proven commodity, is the priority, although clearly he costs a lot more money, too.

Cincinnati certainly will be in the NFL's headlines until these sagas reach their conclusions.

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