Cincinnati (AP) - Even though the relationship between Zac Taylor and Trey Hendrickson is not at the moment, the Bengals head coach is pleased to see his star pass stormtroopers attend a volunteer workout last week.

Even Hendrickson was there to express his frustration about contract negotiations.

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"I talked to Trey. It's great to see him and have great abilities," Taylor said Tuesday.

Hendrickson showed up after Taylor texted him and would be fined if he didn't attend next month's mandatory training camp.

In addition to receiving good warnings, Hendrickson's frustration has increased the lack of exchange or transactions on the progress of the new contract or on the transactions ended on April 26.

Taylor said he spent a lot of time thinking about when to communicate his expectations of star defensive players with Hendrickson.

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"I think every situation is unique, so every personality is different. Every player is different. The timing, everything is different. You just need to adapt to these things."

Taylor also added that there was no update on the negotiations between Hendrickson and the Bengals.

Hendrickson led the NFL with a 17 1/2 sack last season and was selected as an All-Pro. He is looking for a new contract that meets the top passer’s compensation.

Hendrickson plans to receive a base salary of $15.8 million, with a cap of $18.7 million.

Quarterback Joe Burrow has had his first conversation since he started his offseason workout last month, and he still hopes Hendrickson will be able to get a new contract after the Bengals signed wide receivers Ja'marr Chase and Tee Higgins after a profit-rich expansion in March.

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"I think he's doing what he thinks is best for his career, and I support him in that," Burrow said. "Trey is a smart guy. Like anyone, I'm sure, what he wants to come back. He thought through the process, what he wants to do. If he thinks it's the way to go, it's the way to go."

Since joining Bangladesh in 2021, Hendrickson's 57 sacks have ranked third in the past four seasons. He signed with Cincinnati after four seasons in New Orleans.

The Bangladeshi was 9-8 last season, missing the second straight season of the playoffs. They hired Al Golden as defensive coordinator after ranking 25 in total defensive.

With organized team activity starting next week, Taylor said he was happy with Golden's early installation.

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"Hunger and urgency are two words I see from that group," Taylor said. "They are really eating what these coaches give them. When you sit in those unit meetings, you look at the work before the practice and everything they get from doing exercises as a unit, it's a very hungry group and I can tell them everything they are buying Al and coaching in these positions."

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