Quarterback Joe Burrow has clearly grown exasperated with the way the Cincinnati Bengals do business.
The Bengals started training camp Wednesday, but Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart were absent. Hendrickson is seeking an extension, while Stewart is the only first-round pick who remains unsigned.
Burrow wishes the edge-rushers were at camp.
“Obviously disappointing,” he told the media Wednesday. “You’d like to have all your guys out there Day 1 to try to build that cohesion that I was talking about earlier, but that’s not how it usually works out.
“You know it’s a business,” the QB continued before sighing. “And that is how it is gone.”
Tense contract disputes are nothing new in Cincinnati. Last offseason, Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase held in for most of training camp. He didn’t sign a deal before the start of the regular season but still played 17 games.
Unlike Chase, Hendrickson has made it clear he won’t play without a deal. He won’t even work out in Cincinnati. The 30-year-old posted he’s training in Jacksonville on his Instagram story Tuesday.
Hendrickson has revealed the Bengals aren’t committing any guaranteed money past the first year of an extension. This has been featured in deals for other edge-rushers, including that of Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt.
Stewart, meanwhile, is dissatisfied with the language in his deal. The Bengals included clauses that would void guarantees for the rookie.
Burrow understands the perspectives of Stewart and Hendrickson.
“Nobody’s ever gonna fault the player for doing business for how he feels he needs to,” the quarterback said. “It’s cutthroat business, you gotta fight for everything you can get. That’s how it goes.”
However, he hopes Stewart and Hendrickson reach agreements with the club soon.
“The sooner you get things done, the better,” Burrow said.
The Bengals’ inability to sign the pass-rushers creates a distraction and wastes time. That’s something the team doesn’t need after missing the playoffs for two straight seasons. Not making the postseason again would make Burrow even more unhappy.
