HoosierCat

Shrug. Bengals picked the fight. I have no doubt Stewart will eventually sign, but for now we are where we are. Anyhow, in actual news, Taylor says the starters may get reps in more than one preseason game, which hasn’t happened since 2019. I approve, even given the injury risk. McPherson 1 for 3 on 50+ tries today.

Pratt a Raider. 1 year deal, per Schefty.

Taylor making some camp sked changes this year to try and help with the early season struggles. https://www.bengals.com/news/zac-taylor-changes-training-camp-2025 Dont know if it will help any but I’m a fan of trying everything up to and including more rum for jobu to get a week 1 win.

For me (and as always YMMV), the bottom line re the Stewart holdout is this: You are free to feel however you feel about whether the clause in question is justified or not. You are free to feel however you feel about the player, his agent, and our front office personnel. But the fact remains that it was the Bengals' choice to insert it into this contract proposal, with this player, and with this agent. This is on them.

Trading camp sked is out. Camp starts June 23, wraps Aug. 10. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/6/11/24447431/2025-bengals-training-camp-dates

Interesting bit from Hobs today: Given how they always seem to be optimizing the line for pass protection, it will be interesting to see how well this goes.

Accurate…

Stewart situation getting ugly. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/06/10/shemar-stewart-contract-dispute-cincinnati-bengals-nfl-minicamp/84136526007/ Also: https://www.wlwt.com/article/shemar-stewart-cincinnati-bengals-rookie-contract-minicamp/65025985 Finally: https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/bengals-first-round-pick-shemar-stewart-says-he-has-support-of-stars-in-locker-room-as-he-fights-contract-clause-01jxdmcf21dd I will say that I do appreciate the FO catering to us jaded old fans with a classic first round draft pick holdout. Thanks Troy, thanks Katie and, of course, FU Mike Brown. Anyone want to go in on a MIKE BROWN STEP DOWN plane banner?

Hobs with the roster rundown. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-roster-2025-mandatory-minicamp Today’s fun fact: You can’t stop the Sample! Some other tidbits: Hill still in a boot, though “not for long,” Hobs claims. Seth McLaughlin still rehabbing the Achilles. I agree with Goodberry that stashing him on IR might be the best option there. Dax Hill not expected to work in minicamp, still rehabbing the acl. Expected back “sometime” in camp so that bears watching. Going to be quite a scrum for that fifth LB spot. Battle of the long snappers confirmed.

Oh, Watt is a better player but he’s been paid like one, too. That 28 is the final installment of his rookie extension, a four-year, $112 million jackpot. Trey can only dream of those numbers.

The mandatory minicamp is upon us, which means three days worth of breathless stories about Trey Hendrickson being absent and how the Bengals are cheap, incompetent, suck, etc. Ahead of that, I would like to present this totally unrelated story that you might not have heard about: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45484696/tj-watt-not-attending-steelers-mandatory-minicamp-sources-say Yup, $28 million ain't enough for Watt, either.

Pratt released. Frees up $5.6 million more in cash and cap space. That might find its way to Trey in the form of a sweetener to get his deal done.

Speaking of CBs, look who showed up on the police blotter over the weekend (via espn). Jones really needs to stop drinking.

Ha ha Army now you have to root for Nick Chubb. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45476200/rb-nick-chubb-expected-sign-1-year-deal-houston-texans

Interesting read on the cap. https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2025/6/5/24443586/nfl-salary-cap-analysis-cash-spending-post-covid-roger-goodell-2025

Ok this is funny.

Perfect! 10/10 no notes.

Fantastic work. Now, can you get on the horn to Trey and tell him to sign already?

So, I heard something about the Steelers getting a new QB…

Well, Tee says he's planning on staying healthy, so, uh, ok, I guess. Ya hear that hamstring? No pulling this year alright? Not sure how well that'll work but there you go. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/tee-higgins-i-plan-on-staying-healthy-because-offense-could-be-deadly I also see Knight is getting first team reps in practice (no real surprise)... https://www.si.com/college/southcarolina/football/south-carolina-s-demetrius-knight-earning-first-team-reps-with-cincinnati-bengals-01jwxh9semfs ...which again made me wonder exactly what the story is with Pratt. I think we all know he's gone, but at this point why is he still here?

I do agree with amphar’s point about Joe needing to be more patient and willing to take what the defense is giving him.

Welcome aboard.

Requsite Hobson puff piece on Rivers is out. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-draft-pick-jalen-rivers-acting-like-a-multi-year-veteran One worthwhile tidbit buried near the end:

Sample cleared to get back on the field. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/5/28/24438353/bengals-cam-sample-cleared-to-play-achilles-injury

Seems like the "Bengal need to play starters more in preseason to avoid slow starts" theory is gaining traction with Zac and the players. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/how-can-bengals-avoid-slow-starts-jamarr-chase-agrees-more-preseason-action-could-make-a-difference/ We'll have to see to what extent, if any, they follow through.