Cincinnati Bengals face turmoil in June 2025 as DE Trey Hendrickson holds out. QB Joe Burrow calls it a 'distraction,' threatening team chemistry.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, but the biggest story wasn't on the field. It was in the press room, where quarterback Joe Burrow gave a one-word answer that spoke volumes. When asked if the absence of holdout defensive end Trey Hendrickson was a distraction, Burrow didn't hesitate: 'Of course.' That simple admission confirms what every Bengals fan feared: the contract disputes with not one, but two, key defensive linemen are casting a dark cloud over the team's 2025 preparations.
Y'all just want to win an argument instead of winning more games, in my opinion.
All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, the heartbeat of the Bengals' defense, is officially holding out. Entering the final year of his contract, Hendrickson is seeking a long-term extension that reflects his elite production. His absence from mandatory minicamp isn't just a negotiating tactic; it's a gaping hole in the defensive line. The situation has escalated with reports that the Arizona Cardinals are monitoring the stalemate, adding the terrifying possibility of a trade to the mix. The Bengals' delay in securing their top defensive player is now a league-wide story, and the clock is ticking.
On the other end of the spectrum is the bizarre and troubling dispute with 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The rookie defensive end remains unsigned, not over money, but over unprecedented contract language. The Bengals are insisting on a clause that would allow them to void all of Stewart's remaining guaranteed money for any contract default, a departure from the standard practice of voiding guarantees only for the year of the infraction. Stewart has publicly blasted the front office for the move, accusing them of trying to 'win an argument' rather than games. It's a standoff that has many around the league accusing the Bengals of sabotaging their own draft pick's deal.
These aren't isolated incidents happening in a front office vacuum; they're impacting the team on the ground level. Burrow's public acknowledgement of the 'distraction' is a clear signal to management. Meanwhile, Shemar Stewart isn't fighting his battle alone. The rookie revealed he has the backing of his new teammates. 'It's made it very easy when the people in your locker room say you're doing the right things,' Stewart told reporters. 'Especially the star players.' This suggests a growing divide, with players siding with their own against what they perceive as overly aggressive tactics from the front office.
With two crucial defensive ends absent and the franchise quarterback openly concerned, the pressure is squarely on the Bengals' front office. These aren't offseason hypotheticals anymore; they are real problems affecting team morale and preparation. The Super Bowl window is wide open, but it can be slammed shut by self-inflicted wounds. The Bengals must find a resolution with both Hendrickson and Stewart, and fast. Winning arguments in June means nothing if you're losing games in January because of it.
