On Aug 1, the Bengals sign TE Noah Fant for Joe Burrow but face a contract hold-in from star DE Trey Hendrickson. A day of mixed news in Cincinnati.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought training camp was settling into a rhythm, the Cincinnati Bengals delivered a Friday filled with whiplash. The team made a splashy move to bolster the offense, signing former first-round tight end Noah Fant, but that positive news was immediately counterbalanced by a contract standoff with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson and a surprising stalemate over the future of Paycor Stadium.
You’ve got a player that’s really a plus player in both the run and the pass... Great size, great explosiveness, really good hands. Tough to bring down.
The biggest positive of the day was the official signing of tight end Noah Fant to a one-year deal. Fresh off his release from Seattle, the seventh-year veteran brings a dynamic skill set to the Queen City. Head coach Zac Taylor couldn't hide his excitement, praising Fant's versatility as a dual-threat in both the running and passing games. Fant, who hauled in 48 catches for 500 yards last season, adds another proven weapon to Joe Burrow's arsenal and creates a formidable tight end duo alongside Mike Gesicki. It's a low-risk, high-reward move that signals the front office is still looking to add firepower for a Super Bowl run.
On the other side of the ball, a cloud of uncertainty now hangs over the defense. Star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson has reported to camp but is not participating in practices, staging a 'hold-in' amid a contract dispute. According to reports, the friction point is guaranteed money. While the Bengals broke precedent with fully guaranteed deals for Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, they appear unwilling to extend the same structure to their sack leader. Hendrickson's presence is critical for the defense, and his absence from drills, even while physically at the facility, is a major storyline to watch as the preseason approaches.
The drama wasn't confined to player contracts. Hamilton County commissioners voted to approve an 11-year, $470 million lease agreement to keep the Bengals at Paycor Stadium through 2036. The only problem? The Bengals haven't signed it, stating they never saw the final version. With the current lease expiring after this season, this public disagreement puts the team's long-term future in Cincinnati under a microscope. A special meeting is now on the books to sort it out. In a smaller but still surprising move, the team released running back Zack Moss, who had just restructured his contract, shaking up the depth chart in the backfield.
Friday was a microcosm of an NFL offseason: a move for the future (Fant), a dispute over the present (Hendrickson), and a battle over the long-term (the stadium). While the addition of Fant is exciting, the unresolved situations with a cornerstone defender and the team's own home are significant concerns. All eyes will now be on the front office to see if they can find common ground with Hendrickson and the county before the Bengals take the field for their first preseason game against the Eagles on August 7th.
