Al Golden Addresses Bengals Defensive Install Without Trey Hendrickson, Shemar Stewart

Key pieces missing.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, right, introduced new defensive coordinator Al Golden at Paycor Stadium on Monday, January 27, 2025. Golden returns to Cincinnati after being the defensive coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Golden was the Bengals linebacker coach from 2020-21. | Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI —  Al Golden met with the media on Wednesday and addressed how the defense is adjusting to installing a new system without Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart.

Both players are working through contract issues—signed and unsigned—with the Bengals.

Cincinnati is trying to master a new defense for the first time since 2019.

"I think they are two different cases," Golden noted to the media. "Obviously, Trey brings a developed skill set already to the pass game in a lot of ways we have to cultivate the defense around that. And we will. I'm confident, obviously, in Trey's intellect, his approach as a pro, that he'll get caught up, you know, in those 47 days before the opener. I'm confident in that. So I'm just looking forward to seeing him again and coaching him."

Stewart isn't getting those valuable summer reps, but other potential impact rushers like Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample are hard at work.

"It affects us in a positive way, as ironic as that is because you're already preparing for that injury when it exposes itself during the year," Golden said about the silver lining. "You force guys into playing multiple positions, what we call horizontal depth. Ends playing tackle, tackles playing end, some linebackers playing on the edge, those type of things.

"So I think from that standpoint, we always see the good in it and the opportunity, and I'm being serious on that some guys [Sample and Ossai] have really taken advantage of their reps, and their opportunity. And obviously I think will be more formidable when those guys come back."

Cincinnati has one more day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday.

"Our concern is teaching him making sure he's learning, he's engaged, he's on time. He's had a great attitude in the meetings," Golden declared about Stewart. "That's all we can control right now. I think it's a lesson for him in the NFL to control what you can control. And from our standpoint, he's done a good job in terms of the learning. We're as excited as anybody to get him out there."

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