With mandatory mini-camps beginning across the NFL, the start of the 2025 season feels closer than ever. With that comes contract disputes, a yearly frustration for fans. As negotiations drag on, tensions rise between front offices and loyal fans. This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals are drawing attention, and not for the right reasons.
Proven star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart will not participate in the team’s mandatory minicamp. With both players sitting for contract reasons, fans are becoming increasingly impatient with the front office as the negotiations remain unresolved.
Cincinnati Bengals Fans Blast Front Office Amid Contract Disputes
Rookie contract negotiations are known to go relatively smoothly, but what is usually a pain-free process has just added fuel to the fire inside the Bengals’ front office. As Stewart elects to hold out of minicamp before signing his rookie deal, he joins Hendrickson on the list of holdouts, which has fans expressing their frustrations through social media.
Fans have flooded Ari Meirov’s post on X, which stated that Stewart would be joining Hendrickson in his holdout, with comments criticizing the Bengals front office’s handling of their contract situations.
#Bengals rookie DE Shemar Stewart will not practice during mandatory minicamp as the team and his reps have yet to finalize contract language, per @KelseyLConway. That means the Bengals will be without both Trey Hendrickson (not in attendance at all) and Shemar Stewart (watching… pic.twitter.com/FqJ6rrIlhm
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 10, 2025
“This is just ridiculous,” one fan replied, referring to Stewart and Hendrickson’s absence from minicamp.
This is just ridiculous https://t.co/umt4jl8Up0
— ICE (@Makyle_Ice) June 10, 2025
“The Bengals are run terribly,” another fan said, in reply to the original post.
The Bengals are run terribly
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) June 10, 2025
“There’s no way they can’t come to an agreement on a rookie contract,” another fan posted in shock, as the contract dispute between Stewart and the Bengals remains, keeping their first-round pick on the sidelines.
There’s no way they can’t come to an agreement on a rookie contract
— 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗼 (@TeezosWrld) June 10, 2025
“Their front office is garbage.” Another fan said, strongly criticizing the Bengals’ front office.
Their front office is garbage
— 𝒯𝓎 😈 (@TyyyJets) June 10, 2025
These harsh comments reflect understandable frustration among fans. The Bengals have gone 9-8 in each of their last two seasons and missed out on the playoffs.
“But hey, they got Joe brrrr and Jamarr Chase and Tee Higgins !!” Another fan commented, seemingly mocking the Bengals’ desire to spend big money on Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins while neglecting the defensive side of the ball.
but hey they got joe brrrr and jamarr chase and tee higgins !!
— nic (@SlowSTNic) June 10, 2025
According to PFSN’s Defense+ metrics, the Bengals’ defense ranked 28th in the NFL during the 2024 regular season, earning a 66.9 (D) grade. The defense was a significant reason the Bengals only won nine games last year, yet the front office is reluctant to pay impact players on the unit this offseason.
Why Have the Bengals Failed to Sign Their First Round NFL Draft Pick?
Stewart, whom the Bengals selected with pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, has yet to practice with the team since he heard his name called on the big stage.
This is because Stewart is disputing the language in his rookie contract. The Bengals are attempting to add new clauses in rookie contracts that void future player guarantees. Rookies across the league may continue participating in camp while remaining unsigned. However, Stewart’s situation with Cincinnati is unique because if he were to get hurt, the Bengals would owe him relatively nothing.
Stewart is seeking a mirrored rookie deal similar to those of past Bengals’ first-round picks, as this new clause the Bengals are attempting to insert has never been used with past Bengals selections.
Will the Bengals be able to complete either of these deals soon, which would calm down heated fans? Or will the Bengals’ front office have to make some tough decisions about the future of Hendrickson and Stewart?
Losing either the NFL’s reigning sack leader or their latest first-round selection is bound to spark outrage among fans. The new season is just around the corner, and the time to win back fans is approaching fast.
