JOE BURROWS has admitted he understands his teammates “fighting for everything [they] can get” in their Cincinnati Bengals contract standstill.
It’s the first time the Bengals quarterback has spoken about the issue, with two of his teammates currently absent from training just 44 days before the season starts.
Speaking to the media, he 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.”
He continued: “You know, it’s a business.”
Pausing to sigh, he added: “And that is how it’s gone.”
Burrow admitted he understood his teammates’ position.
He said: “The earlier you get these things done, the better.
“Nobody’s ever gonna fault the player for doing business how he feels he needs to.
“It’s cutthroat business. You gotta fight for everything you can get. That’s how it goes.”
The pair – edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart – are currently battling with the Bengals over their contract terms.
Their training camp for the new season began on Wednesday, but both stars are out of state.
Hendrickson earned $21million in the last year of his four-year contract he signed back in 2021.
He is currently fighting the terms of his long-term extension.
On Tuesday morning, Hendrickson confirmed to ESPN that he won’t be working with the Bengals after a drama-filled offseason that has included few signs of optimism for an agreement on a new deal.
He posted an Instagram post in his home state of Florida on Tuesday, showing his absent from training camp.
Hendrickson will be subject to a fine of $50,000 for each day of camp he misses.
Bengals president Mike Brown told reporters on Monday: “We like Trey as a person.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
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1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
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4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
“He’s a good guy.”
Meanwhile, Stewart has returned to Texas, holding out over language in his rookie contract related to guarantees.
The Bengals No.17 overall pick in this year’s draft is the only first-round selection that has yet to sign a contract with his respective franchise.
Brown confirmed that the dispute has been over the language concerning potential conduct detrimental to the team.
The Bengals chief described the contract situation as “foolishness” on Monday.
Stewart – who has returned to Texas A&M – could still exploit a loophole to get out of his Cincinnati Bengals contract.
A similar disruptive scenario occurred last season when Ja’Marr Chase refused to practice in the summer over a contract dispute.
He only returned when the regular season started.
The Bengals went on to finish 9-8 and failed to make the playoffs.
