Fantasy is often better than reality.
Reality has come crashing down on Green Bay Packers fans, who first saw their T.J. Watt dreams end once and for all, and now can give up hope on landing Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Watt signed a massive extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one that will likely be the final contract of his playing career, and all signs point to the same for Hendrickson in Cincinnati.
"We are not going to trade Trey. We are working on getting it done," Bengals owner Mike Brown said, via Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. "We've been through a few — and he pushes hard, he gets emotional. We never have an easy time of it. And if there's one thing that is consistent, it always gets done. I think this one will too."
Packers fans have been clamoring for the team to add a star pass-rusher to go alongside Rashan Gary.
Green Bay finished last season with a top-10 pass rush, though it was incredibly inconsistent. The team totaled 45 sacks for the season, but nearly a third of its sack total came from two games. Gary led the team with 7.5 sacks, which put him in a tie for 36th in the league.
Trey Hendrickson update likely ends another pass-rusher dream for Packers fans
With Watt and Myles Garrett agreeing to extensions, and free agents Josh Sweat, Chase Young, and Joey Bosa, among others, inked to deals, options are running thin for Green Bay.
Trey Hendrickson has been linked to the Packers nearly all offseason, going back to March when the Bengals gave him permission to seek trades. This speculation continued into the NFL Draft, with some thinking Green Bay may make the move in front of its fans. Instead, the Packers held onto their picks, drafted their first receiver in the first round for over two decades, and later released Jaire Alexander instead of making a trade.
Of course, the Hendrickson negotiations could still go sideways, whether it be regarding guaranteed money or the years of the deal. Until ink hits paper, nothing is certain.
However, barring the Packers putting together a trade package that the Bengals can't refuse, all signs point toward Hendrickson staying in Cincinnati.
What are the other options? The Packers could pull off an incredibly unlikely reunion involving either Preston or Za'Darius Smith. Jadeveon Clowney would be an intriguing name to keep an eye on. However, it appears that Green Bay will roll into training camp with the roster it has already built.