Burrow doesn’t hide the tension: “Of course it’s a distraction”
Some of the Bengals players aren’t happy with how the team is dealing with contract negotiations, and quarterback Joe Burrow spoke candidly on the subject.
The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to have a better 2025 season defensively after allowing an average of 25.5 points per game in 2024, but they’re facing some uncertainty with two key defensive players currently sidelined with contract issues. Quarterback Joe Burrow spoke candidly about the impact it’s having on the team already.
Hendrickson’s absence a “distraction” for Bengals
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is skipping the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute with the team. Hendrickson is coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and four straight Pro Bowl selections. But he and the team still haven’t been able to come to terms on a long-term deal.
Burrow acknowledged the impact his absence has on the rest of the team. When asked if it is a distraction, he answered, “Of course, of course.”
Burrow compared the situation to last year, when the Bengals’ top receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were both dealing with contract issues.
Is Trey Hendrickson's situation a distraction?
— Marshall Kramsky (@marshallkramsky) June 10, 2025
Joe Burrow: "Of course." #Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/7yihKGkO2E
“Last year, we had two. This year, we have one. So we do have less,” said Burrow. “You’d love to have none, but that’s life in the NFL. We’re all supporting Trey and would love for him to be back.”
Since then, Chase and Higgins have both signed major contract extensions, each for four years - Chase for $161 million and Higgins for $115 million. Burrow praised them for their leadership and performance. Last season, Chase earned the Triple Crown, leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, while Higgins had 10 touchdowns in just 12 games played.
While Burrow mentioned that there are “definitely less distractions than last year” with Hendrickson sitting out, they are also having similar issues with their new rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart.
Stewart was the Bengals’ first-round pick (17th overall) in this year’s draft, but he’s yet to sign a rookie contract - one of just five other first-round picks who haven’t yet. He is attending the minicamp, but not practicing, and has publicly criticized the team’s negotiation tactics.
“I’m 100% right. I’m not asking for nothing y’all have never done before. But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games,” Stewart said.
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