As the Bengals — perhaps at their quarterback’s urging — have changed their messaging on Tee Higgins, a tricky situation emerged due to Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson also being in contract years. With Joe Burrow on a top-market deal, it appeared something had to give. Right now, it looks like that piece will be Hendrickson.

On Thursday, it was announced by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Cincinnati Bengals had permitted star defensive end Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade to a new team. It was the second straight year that the Pro Bowler had made the request,