With camp set to open July 23, the clock is ticking. Teammates, coaches, and fans are watching closely to see if Stewart will show up or stay away. And while Hendrickson’s contract situation still lingers, it’s Stewart’s absence and the questions around his deal that now loom over the Bengals’ next chapter.

The Bengals are dealing with a pair of contract impasses involving defensive ends ahead of their first training camp practice this week.

When the Cincinnati Bengals report to training camp on Tuesday, Trey Hendrickson won't be there. The Bengals star is currently about 800 miles away from Ohio in Northern Florida, which means one of two things happened: Either he forgot he was supposed to report to training camp or his contract standoff with the Bengals has gotten so ugly that he decided not to show up.

Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart talks about his contract dispute at the Bengals mandatory mini-camp on June 10, 2025. (WKRC) Brown said the negotiation has reached the level of "silliness," but that he believes the two sides will eventually come to an agreement.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced several front office and scouting department changes, including making Joe Douglas' hiring official.

The Bengals are trying to set a precedent that they can use in all future rookie deals. Second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. signed his rookie contract Saturday and signed a deal that had the language the Bengals wanted. Stewart is now the last one standing.

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown, GM Duke Tobin express frustration with first-round pick Shemar Stewart negotiations.