Burrow Calls Bengals’ Contract Drama ‘Disappointing’
The Cincinnati Bengals are facing yet another offseason headache — and this time, Joe Burrow isn’t hiding his frustration.
Just one year after star wideout Ja’Marr Chase dealt with his own contract saga, the Bengals now find themselves in a fresh standoff with two crucial defenders. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and rookie Shemar Stewart are both missing from training camp ahead of the 2025 NFL season, each due to ongoing contract disputes.
Burrow, now the face of the Bengals franchise, didn’t sugarcoat his feelings.
“Obviously disappointing,” he told reporters. “You’d like to have all your guys out there Day 1 to try to build that cohesion… but that’s not how it usually works out.”
While the quarterback clearly wants his teammates at camp, he was quick to emphasize his respect for their decisions.
“Nobody’s ever gonna fault the player for doing business how he feels he needs to,” Burrow said. “It’s a cutthroat business. You gotta fight for everything you can get.”
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Hendrickson Speaks Out
Hendrickson, who has racked up 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, confirmed that he received two contract offers, neither of which met his expectations for guaranteed money.
“I wanted to be there, but there’s no way I could sit in my house and hear the practice whistles… and be a distraction,” he told The Athletic.
The veteran pass rusher said he even offered to take less to accommodate the team’s needs, hoping to remain a leader for a young Bengals defense.
“I want to be a captain… and once rookie Shemar Stewart gets back, I want to pass along my knowledge. We’re teammates, not competitors.”
As for Shemar Stewart, the Bengals’ 2025 first-round pick has reportedly taken issue with the structure of his rookie contract. Stewart has yet to report to camp, creating further disruption just weeks before the Bengals’ Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
What’s Next for Cincinnati?
With Burrow expressing concern and two impact players sidelined, the Bengals find themselves in a familiar position: preparing for a season clouded by contract tension. While Burrow remains focused on football, he made it clear, resolving these disputes early is crucial.
“The earlier you get these things done, the better,” he concluded.
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