In a not-so-distant future, sportswriters around the country might be tasked with writing a quick summary on the Bengals' trade of star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. To help them with that mad scramble, I have written two ledes (that are free to copy, word for word). Here is the first:
After consecutive seasons missing the playoffs, the Bengals continue reloading their roster, trading away a 30-year-old pass rusher after a peak season.
And here is the second:
Despite contending aspirations, the Bengals refuse their sack leader's contract request, weakening their struggling defense via a last-minute trade.