The Cincinnati Bengals are known across the league as one of the more frugal franchises when it comes to playing players. The Bengals bucked that trend when they awarded massive contract extensions to their dynamic duo of wide receivers, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, earlier this offseason.
However, par for the course, the Bengals are still engaged in very public contract disputes with a pair of offensive linemen. Shemar Stewart, the Bengals’ first-round selection in the NFL draft, remains unsigned over language in his rookie contract, while Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks a season ago, is holding out as he seeks a new extension.
Now, the Bengals brass is sounding off on the disputes.
“I don’t blame Shemar. He’s listening to the advice he’s paying for. I don’t understand the advice… We’re treating him fairly,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said about the rookie, according to Jaron May.
Fans reacted to Tobin’s statement on social media.
“Bro is fed up with their first round pick and he hasn’t even showed up yet Surely this defense won’t be bottom 3 again…. Right?!?” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Did anyone follow up asking why he doesn’t understand the advice? It seems it’s sound advice from his agent, unless everyone is wrong about the Bengals wanting to change the guaranteed money,” someone else added.
“Shenar Stewart is risking his entire career over an almost meaningless clause the majority of NFL teams use. I don’t understand the advice either. He should be way more concerned about his development as an NFL defensive end, something the jury is very much still out on,” another fan wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the Bengals or Stewart blink first.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.