Joe Burrow and the Bengals: Absences and Contract Negotiations
In an ideal scenario for quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals would have resolved all outstanding contractual matters before the start of training camp on Wednesday. However, upon taking the field, some significant absences were noted. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson did not report to the team due to the pursuit of a long-term deal, and first-round rookie Shemar Stewart is one of the last draft picks who has yet to sign. Once again, the Bengals find themselves navigating this situation as they prepare for the start of the season.Burrow has been in communication with Hendrickson, a 2024 All-Pro selection and NFL sack leader last season. Bengals coach Zac Taylor declined to reveal whether he had had any communication with the player. When the team’s veterans were due to report to training camp on Tuesday, Hendrickson posted a photo on Instagram showing that he was in Florida, where he resides.Obviously disappointing. You would like to have all your guys on the first day to try to build that cohesion I was talking about before, but it usually doesn’t work that way.
Joe Burrow
Trey Hendrickson’s Instagram Post
At the beginning of the week, Bengals president Mike Brown said the team had offered Hendrickson a new contract and that he believed the Bengals star deserved a raise. However, Hendrickson communicated that the team was unwilling to offer guaranteed money after the first year of the new agreement, something that has been seen in contracts of other prominent quarterbacks hunters this offseason. The absence of Hendrickson did not surprise Taylor, who said that “he had the feeling that it could happen”. Burrow spoke about both sides of Hendrickson and Stewart’s situation. He understands the business aspect that both players are facing and how that is integral to being in the NFL.When asked if each side of those negotiations should express more urgency to resolve those matters, Burrow did not disagree with that idea.Nobody will blame a player for doing business as they feel they should. It’s a ruthless business. You have to fight for everything you can get. That’s how it works.
Joe Burrow
In the first practice of training camp, the defense didn’t suffer without Hendrickson or Stewart. They had many good moments against Cincinnati’s starting offense throughout the morning session. This somehow reinforced Taylor’s belief that the prolonged discussion about contract strikes has not been a distraction for the team.The sooner these things are done, the better.
Joe Burrow
It’s news, certainly. The guys who have been in the locker room, they just want to take care of business. It doesn’t come up for us. I understand that it will come up in the media. But for us, it doesn’t come up.
Zac Taylor
