As the Cincinnati Bengals continue to haggle over contracts with defensive ends Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart, they secured their own future. NFL franchises run on money; whether it’s the pursuit or saving of it, cash rules everything around them. Nothing brings that knowledge to the surface faster than relocation and player contracts.
While fans watch off-field battles like these take place, they also see their ticket prices rise along with the included fees. Still, fans flock to their NFL team’s stadium regardless of the weather. Not everyone is happy, though.
Bengals Silence Relocation Rumors; Fans Demand Contract Resolution
In April, a few rumors swirled regarding the Bengals possibly leaving town, searching for a new stadium. During “The Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee discussed what executive vice president Katie Blackburn said about a potential move.
“We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted this year if we didn’t pick the option up,” Blackburn said during an interview with Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Kelsey Conway.
On Thursday, June 26, the Bengals announced they have reached a deal with Hamilton County, Ohio, to stay in PAYCOR Stadium and Cincinnati until at least 2036. Bengals fans, although happy about the team staying, took Blackburn to task for failing to pay Hendrickson and Stewart.
Anything but paying Trey or Shemar
— JustFootball (@JustTheStart0) June 26, 2025
“Anything but paying Trey or Shemar”, one fan wrote on X. Another fan also had a caustic comment to post as well.
Gave the feds an extension before signing Shemar 😹
— AJ (@Ajmovinwork) June 26, 2025
“Gave the feds an extension before signing Shemar 😹”, another fan said. This fan posted on X about the Bengals getting a stadium deal before locking down their players.
They can secure deals to play in a stadium long term, but can’t secure their players long term? 🥀🥀🥀
— Trust in Poles, Trust in Johnson (@Yaboi07035155) June 26, 2025
“They can secure deals to play in a stadium long term, but can’t secure their players long term? 🥀🥀🥀” this fan posted.
Hendrickson sits among the league’s elite pass rushers with 35 sacks over the last two seasons. Stewart, this year’s first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick, refuses to sign a deal that includes language that grants the team the ability to void deals. In the opinion of many, the team has put its needs ahead of the players’ contracts.
Similarly, Bengals fans feel that this hardline approach to contract negotiations will cost the franchise in the long run. This type of position sends a signal to any pending free agents or college players that could land in Cincinnati.
The Bengals’ front office drawing this line has probably made news around the NFL to players. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals don’t become a prime landing spot for top-level players. How long can the Bengals endure a public relations nightmare of not signing two players on whom they will lean on heavily this season?
