Joe Burrow mentions one distraction that looms for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have faced controversy surrounding their team this offseason, mainly stemming from their actions. The front office has been reluctant to extend a contract to All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, and that has caused an unnecessary distraction. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow spoke with reporters about various aspects of the team, and when asked if Hendrickson’s absence from the team is a distraction, he replied, “Of course.”

Contract disputes are nothing new for the Bengals, who just went through it with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. After lengthy discussions, they were able to agree with both of those players, and they hope the same can be said about Hendrickson. The Bengals often play hardball with contracts. First-round pick Shemar Stewart has yet to agree to his rookie contract due to a clause in his contract that he and his agent want removed.

This is not the way the Bengals or anyone around the team wanted the offseason to go, but they have some time before training camp begins to get all the contracts in order. The Bengals appear to be flying under the radar as they head into 2025, following a disappointing 2024 season. But this team has one of the best offenses in football and an elite quarterback. Those two factors should allow them to remain competitive if they are healthy.

Offseason distractions are something that every team must deal with; if they do not linger into the regular season, the Bengals will be well-positioned. The AFC is as competitive as it has ever been, with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills emerging as top contenders for the Super Bowl. The Bengals need to have all hands on deck if they are serious about returning to the Super Bowl, as they did in 2022.