For yet another training camp, Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with more negotiation.
This time, it is in defense where Trey Hendrickson holds out his contract and selected Shemar Stewart in the first round due to responsibility.
“Obviously disappointment,” Burrow said of the latest round of contracts through ESPN. “You want to have all your guys out there to try to build up the cohesion I was talking about earlier, but that’s not how it usually goes. You know, it’s a business. And that’s how it’s gone.”
The club put Hendrickson on the reserve team/not a list after returning to Florida, but Stewart remains the only unprepared rookie.
Burrow said he had been in contact with Hendrickson during the process. QB has undergone its own negotiations and has been watching the club dealing with the situation of Ja’marr Chase and Tee Higgins at the last training camp. Mivasses are nothing new for the Bengals organization.
Burrow said he understood business from both the players and the club’s perspective.
“No one ever intends to teach the player for doing business how he thinks he needs,” said Burrow. “This is a cutthroat business. You have to fight for everything you can get. That’s how it goes.”
Burrow’s disappointment in the last round of negotiations that prevent the whole club from being on the field to open training camps come at a time when Cincy is trying to avoid yet another slow start of the season. To that end, Burrow will play more this cover than he has before.