Joe Burrow ‘disappointed’ after first Bengals practice session

The Cincinnati Bengals returned to the practice field on Wednesday to kick-start their preparations for the 2025 NFL season. But much of the conversation in the post-session press conference revolved around those who were not there.

The Bengals have two notable hold-outs as the front office tries to tie down players for the upcoming season. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is demanding a new longer-term deal, while first round draft pick Shemar Stewart is yet to sign his contract.

Speaking after the session, quarterback Joe Burrow admitted that it was frustrating not to have Hendrickson and Stewart with the team for the start of team practice.

“Obviously disappointing,” Burrow said. “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... Nobody’s ever gonna fault the player for doing business how he feels he needs to,” Burrow continued. “It’s cutthroat business. You gotta fight for everything you can get. That’s how it goes.”

Last year the Bengals finished with a 9-8 record for the second consecutive season, again failing to make the playoffs. For his part, Burrow was a star and he was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year as he led the league for passing yards and passing touchdowns.

If they are to find improvement they will need to start fast but the Bengals have a poor record early in seasons. During Zac Taylor’s six years in charge of the team, Cincinnati has just one win across the first two weeks of the season.

Often, that slow start has been blamed on the sluggish offseason work that leaves the team with less time to gel than other units in the NFL. This season the Bengals team practice has begun earlier than previous years and they will hope to have the full roster together as soon as possible.

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