The 2025 offseason is the gift that keeps giving for the Baltimore Ravens. After having one of the best drafts in the league, the Ravens stay winning. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers still don't have a quarterback. The Cleveland Browns have too many. The Cincinnati Bengals won't pay anyone who isn't a wide receiver.
Things were already trending toward disaster for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. Between a defensive collapse in 2024, losing Sam Hubbard to early retirement, and completely botching the NFL Draft, it’s been a banner year of dysfunction. But the cherry on top? Their best pass rusher is being ignored and their first-round rookie hasn’t even signed his contract.
In true Bengals fashion, the franchise is playing chicken with Trey Hendrickson—who only led the NFL in sacks last year—and somehow finding a way to lose. He wants an extension. He deserves one. Instead, the front office ghosted him. And now? The whole thing has gone nuclear.
As if that weren’t enough, Shemar Stewart, their prized first-round pick, is in a contract standoff before taking a single snap. Because what’s more on brand than the Bengals alienating their defensive cornerstone while failing to even onboard the supposed replacement?
The Bengals are turning their defense into a punchline
Let’s start with Hendrickson. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals haven’t had a single conversation with Hendrickson’s camp since the draft. Zero. Nada. Not a text, not a check-in, nothing. In his own words: “Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating.” That’s your All-Pro talking.
This isn’t about being greedy. Hendrickson isn’t trying to reset the market—he just wants the raise he was “promised” if he kept producing. Meanwhile, the Bengals are standing firm on their averseness to paying any defensive player... no matter how good they are.
Additionally, Shemar Stewart was on the sidelines during rookie minicamp while not participating. And that might be worse than not showing up altogether. The No. 17 pick decided not to sign his contract over a dispute with the Bengals’ front office about bonus structure. It’s a classic Bengals problem—playing hardball over peanuts, while trying to replace a 17.5-sack player with a rookie who had 4.5 sacks in three college seasons.
Even when they try to plan for the future, they can’t stop tripping over themselves in the present.
The Bengals are alienating the only good player left on their defense and watching his replacement protest the organization before OTAs even start. It's pure comedy. Welcome back, Cincinnati Bungles.
You want a fun fact that sums up Cincy’s offseason? The Bengals have lost their defensive captain to early retirement, ignored their sack leader, and can’t sign their first-round pick—all in the span of three months. And while we can't confirm Hubbard's retirement had anything to do with this team's ineptitude, we can't necessarily rule that out, either.
From the outside looking in, it’s clear Cincinnati has lost control of the ship. The Bengals can’t keep their talent, can’t onboard their future, and can’t stop the slow unraveling that’s taken hold of their defense. The other teams in the AFC North (especially the Ravens) are watching and laughing. It's looking like another lost year for Joe Burrow before it even starts.