Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zach Taylor is hopeful that Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart will be ready to start as defensive ends when the team kicks off the season in Cleveland on September 7th. However, there is some uncertainty as both players might not participate in the open training camp practice starting Wednesday. Stewart, the Bengals’ 17th overall draft pick, missed the rookie reporting day on Saturday, while veterans including Hendrickson are expected to arrive Tuesday.
Owner Mike Brown expressed his respect and trust for both players despite the hold-ups. Taylor mentioned speaking with Hendrickson recently but remains unsure if he’ll be at practice this week. Hendrickson, who led the league with 17.5 sacks last season and earned an All-Pro selection, has missed some offseason workouts amid contract extension talks seeking a deal that matches top pass rushers’ guaranteed money. Currently, he is set to earn a base salary of $15.8 million with a cap hit of $18.7 million.
Player personnel director Duke Tobin explained that Hendrickson has received a raise and extension offer, and negotiations continue. In contrast, Stewart—the only first-round pick not yet signed—has a contract dispute related to language about voiding future guarantees in case of off-field incidents; the Bengals have never included such clauses in deals with first-rounders before. Brown called the situation “strange” and a “negotiation that has reached a level of stupidity,” hoping for resolution soon but not expecting an immediate fix.
Since being drafted in April, Stewart has also declined to sign an injury exemption required to practice with teammates during the offseason. Tobin emphasized the importance of Stewart’s early presence, noting that a strong rookie season usually leads to a productive NFL career. Tobin also deflected blame for the negotiations onto Stewart’s agent, Zach Hiller, who said discussions were out of Tobin’s hands.
Defensive coordinator Al Golden is eager to see both players in practice, noting the Bengals’ struggles on defense last season, ranking 25th in total yards allowed and giving up 30 or more points in four games. Golden sees Hendrickson’s transition as smoother due to his experience, while Stewart will need time to learn the team’s core fundamentals.
(Fan Take) This contract saga is crucial for NFL fans as it highlights the ongoing challenges between top talent and team management over player compensation and contract terms. How the Bengals resolve these issues could impact team chemistry and defensive performance, reminding fans that off-field negotiations can be just as pivotal as on-field play.
