The Cincinnati Bengals have generated plenty of negative headlines and reactions due to the team's contract stalemates with one of the NFL's best defensive ends and their first-round pick this year.
Both have unfolded for different reasons, with Trey Hendrickson wanting a big, multi-year pay bump after an All-Pro season. First-rounder Shemar Stewart isn't happy with whatever the Bengals are putting into the fine print on his contract.
Both situations aren't great, with Bleacher Report's Moe Moton writing that the Bengals simply can't afford to be this stubborn:
"Hendrickson has been vocal about the lack of communication between the Bengals and his camp on a new deal. Defensive end Sam Hubbard has retired. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, rookie first-rounder Shemar Stewart hasn't joined the team because of a dispute over training camp bonuses. Cincinnati isn't in a position to be stubborn with its best pass-rusher, who's coming off an All-Pro campaign."
RELATED: Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart remains out with contract dispute
There's a middle ground somewhere in here. With Hendrickson, the Bengals can probably afford to drag things out. This has unfolded multiple years in a row with the star pass-rusher who signed a short-term extension not all that long ago and has threatened holdouts, too. The team has much of the leverage in the situation, provided Hendrickson isn't the rare 30-year-old star willing to throw away millions and millions while sitting out.
There's no great excuse for the Stewart situation, though. The Bengals drafted a pass-rusher with limited production in college and need to get him on the field and developing as soon as possible.
Viewed as a whole, though, and given the team history, it's understandable the Bengals are under this kind of heat right now. They have an easy way to remove the heat, too.
RELATED: Joe Burrow ends silence on Trey Hendrickson, Bengals contract spat
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals accused of being stubborn with Hendrickson, Stewart contracts
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