Amid contract disputes with rookie pass-rusher Shemar Stewart and All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly gained a reputation within the NFL for being tough negotiators.

The implementation of a rookie wage scale in 2011 has largely ended contract holdouts of draft picks, with a couple of exceptions.

Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart skipped the final day of the team’s mandatory minicamp practice as he remains in a contract dispute with the club.

For Hunter, as the top overall pick, it's just a matter of economics. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023, quarterback Bryce Young signed a four-year, $37.96 million contract that is fully guaranteed. The following year, quarterback Caleb Williams signed a four-year contract worth $39.45 million with the Chicago Bears that was fully guaranteed as well.

The Bengals seem to invent new ways to frustrate their fans (and players) every year, and that's once again happening this year.  The team's first-round draft pick, Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart,

With OTA's and mandatory minicamp now concluded, and the Bengals going their separate ways for about five weeks prior to the start of preseason training camp, plenty was said about the supposed forward steps by Cincinnati's defense under first-year coordinator Al Golden.