How Trey Hendrickson-Bengals contract standoff impacts two important people

The contract standoff between Shemar Stewart and the Cincinnati Bengals came to an end Friday, as the pass rusher agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $18.97 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Moreover, the report mentions that the deal also includes a $10.4 million signing bonus.

Now that the contract situation is all settled for Stewart, the focus shifts to what he can provide on the field. The jury is still out on the Bengals selecting the 21-year-old, who recorded 4.5 sacks during his three seasons at Texas A&M.

Moreover, ESPN’s Louis Riddick believes the Cincinnati Bengals aren’t setting Shemar Stewart up for success because of how they’re handling the contract standoff with Trey Hendrickson. Of all the players who could help Stewart adjust to the NFL, it’s Hendrickson—but he’s not in camp.

“Hey, listen, without him, who do you think Shemar Stewart is going to look to if he’s not there?” Riddick said on “NFL Live.” “Who’s going to teach him how to be a pro? Who’s going to teach Shemar Stewart how to actually rush the passer and not just be a great athlete if he’s not there?”

MORE: Why Bengals are seen as winners in Shemar Stewart contract standoff

Riddick also noted that the Hendrickson situation affects new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden. The ESPN analyst stated that the 56-year-old probably expected to have Hendrickson as the go-to player on a defensive unit that he looks to improve.

“Now, Golden, who’s he turning to now?” Riddick added. “The new defensive coordinator—who’s he looking around? He’s looking around, going, ‘Hey, wait a second.’ He’s saying, ‘This isn’t what I signed up for.’ You know what I mean?

“I know Joe Burrow went to ownership and said, ‘Hey, look, I need [Tee Higgins] and Ja’Marr [Chase] back.’ That’s great. Joe needs his stuff. If I’m Al Golden right now, I’m like, ‘Hey, look, you brought me in here to replace Lou, and you’re not going to give me anything? You’re not going to give me any bullets in my gun?’”

It will be interesting to see if Hendrickson and the Bengals work out the situation and find common ground or else multiple people on the defensive end will be affected.