close
close

topicnews · July 15, 2025

Here things are in Rookie Shemar Stewart's contract distance with the Bengals, while the training camp is approaching

Here things are in Rookie Shemar Stewart's contract distance with the Bengals, while the training camp is approaching


After the training camp is supposed to start next week, the Cincinnati Bengals do not seem to be closer to signing Shemar Stewart's first round than if they designed it.

Stewart, a 21-year defensive end, left Cincinnatis mandatory minicamp in June because she took over a controversial conflict about contract guarantees. Stewart and the Bengals have reportedly spoken without progress since the contract.

Advertising

He allegedly worked from the Bengals in Texas A&M by Tuesday, where he played college football for three years. The Cincinnati Enquirer confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that it is using the Texas A&M facilities.

To be clear – as the Enquirer's Kelsey Conway found – this is not unusual. Stewart lives in Texas and it is “very common” that NFL players train at their former schools according to their report. Stewart does not work with the Texas A&M team – he simply uses his facilities to stay in football.

In fact, Stewart is not the only unsigned rookie this summer that uses the facilities of his former school.

Advertising

The Cornerback from Denver Broncos, Jahdae Barron, is the only other selection in the first round (No. 20) that has not yet signed his contract. He recently posted pictures of himself on Instagram who trained in Texas.

In contrast to Stewart, there is no indication of an influence between Barron and the Broncos. He was a participant in the Broncos Minicamp. And both he and head coach Sean Payton spoke radiantly about his experiences there.

“It feels like at home,” said Barron reporters after the Minicamp.

For some reason, the two sides have not yet brought a pen on paper.

This is not the case with Stewart and the Bengals. There is real, public hostility between the two sides.

Advertising

Stewart initially reported to Minicamp in June, but did not take part in exercises. But when he stayed without a contract, he left Minicamp on June 12th.

So what is the holdup?

Thanks to the rookie wage scale, there is very little to negotiate in rookie contracts. As No. 17 in the draft, Stewart is to sign a four-year contract for $ 18.9 million with a team option in the first round as a selection in the first round.

This is negotiated together. It is not negotiable.

According to reports, the conflict is reported on future guarantees. According to the Enquirer, the Bengals are trying to create a new precedent with rookie contracts with which the team can empty the future guaranteed money. Understandably, Stewart is not on board and went to the stock exchange with his symptoms.

“I am 100 percent right” Stewart said on June 10th June 10th Jay Morrison from Sports Illustrated. “I don't ask for anything that you have never done before. But in your case you only want to win arguments (more) than win more games.”

He also said reporters that it was “very important” for him to come to the field to the training camp.

“I did that most of my whole life and suddenly it went about something very simple,” said Stewart. “It's kind of disappointing. …

“It is very important. You have to prepare your body a little to play football. I especially come from college to the NFL. It is a physical game, even though I played in the Sec, which is very physical. Nothing is actually playing in the NFL.”

From now on, Stewart does his football work alone and away from the Bengals without being closer to a contract with the team.

Advertising

What happens if this continues?

If the patient situation extends beyond the training camp and the season, the two sides would have 10 to sign a contract until Tuesday, or Stewart would not be suitable in 2025. If you do not achieve a deal before the design of the next year, Stewart would be entitled to enter his name in the draft of 2026. Every team apart from the Bengals would be entitled to select it in this scenario.

Stewart is not the only top-class Bengals defender in the middle of a contract dispute.

All-Pro defensive End Trey Hendrickson remains without a new contract and fresh in his second season in a row with 17.5 sacks. In May, Hendrickson said reporters that the patient situation had become “personal”. His status for the training camp also remains in doubt.

Advertising

From Tuesday there is no indication that Hendrickson and the Bengals are closer to a new deal. Newcomers should report on the Bengal training camp on Friday. Veterans will report next Tuesday next Tuesday.

You may also like...