AFC North has 2 top defenders, top rookie are skipping mandatory minicamps

As mandatory minicamps open, Trey Hendrickson and TJ Watt are reportedly not attending Steelers, Bengals camps

Mandatory minicamp starts Tuesday for 24 of the 32 teams. The Chicago Bears held theirs last week and the Detroit Lions cancelled theirs with the Hall of Fame Game on their schedule.

For the Cleveland Browns, there are a lot of questions surrounding the quarterback position, but that is far from the only concern. A roster with some talent, the Browns have a lot to prove coming off a paltry three-win season in 2024.

In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally signed Aaron Rodgers but, as we reported on last month, the Baltimore Ravens are the only team in the division that is drama-free and ready for the season to start. The Cincinnati Bengals continue to have a concern with star DE Trey Hendrickson, while the Steelers issue is with OLB/DE TJ Watt.

Hendrickson will reportedly skip mandatory minicamp:

As will Watt:

According to Adam Schefter, both players would be fined over $100K if they skip all three days of minicamp.

On top of that, the Bengals didn’t get a contract done with their first round pick who is refusing to sign a practice waiver, a standard process for draft picks, so that he can participate in minicamp:

The Browns still don’t have RB Quinshon Judkins under contract but the second round pick has practiced after signing the practice waiver.