Not that the Cincinnati Bengals pay much attention to outside public opinion, but the team is now one of just two franchises yet to sign their first-round pick this year.
The Bengals with Shemar Stewart and the Denver Broncos with cornerback Jahdae Barron are the two teams left standing without a signature from their first-round picks.
Jacksonville shoved the Bengals into this bucket over the weekend by signing Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick.
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The Bengals had to watch as Stewart bashed the organization publicly before leaving minicamp early recently.
According to reports, the Bengals want to reset contractual language regarding guarantees, starting with Stewart as the first. The defensive end and his reps, naturally, don’t want to be the first.
It’s hard to imagine the standoff bleeds too far into training camp, but it’s equally hard to imagine the Bengals care that they’re just one of two teams yet to wrap up what should be nothing more than a minor offseason bit of work.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals risk being only NFL team with 1st-round pick unsigned
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
