Shemar Stewart contract standoff with Cincinnati Bengals could lead to NFL Draft re-entry

Bengals first round selection focuses on the contract language

Cincinnati Bengals first round draft election Shemar Stewart did not sign the rookie agreement due to disputes on certain language in the agreement. The 17th General Election in the 2025 NFL Draft joined OTA and MiniCamp, but did not participate in the field activities.

Stewart’s four -year -old $ 18.94 million full -guaranteed contract represents the standard rookie wage scale compensation. The dispute focuses on the language of additional contract, which is different from the agreements of the first round elections of the Bengal.

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The default material creates a negotiation interest

Cincinnati Bengals is trying to add a assumed substance to Stewart’s contract that will enable the team to invalidate future warranties in case the player encounters legal or disciplinary problems. This language represents the separation of typical first round of contracts and was not included in the previous Bengals first round elections.
According to Andrew Brandt, former NFL Team manager, it will provide the flexibility of Bengals’s potentially guaranteed money obligations if the substance is faced with suspension for behavior, extraordinary behavior, arrest or other disciplinary activities in the field.

“I’m 100 percent right,” Stewart said about the stance. “I don’t want anything you’ve never done before, but you all have, you all want to win an argument instead of winning more games.”

Stewart’s financial leverage with Nile earnings

Stewart has unique leverage compared to previous rookie expectations due to significant nil earnings during the university career in Texas A & M. Former Aggies Pass Rusher gathered compensation for important names, image and similarity and provided financial stability that allowed it to immediately expand contract negotiations without financial pressure.

Also read: NFL Millionaire Club: Meet the 5 richest 5 stars of all time – check the full net valueThis financial position represents a shift from traditional rookie contract negotiations, where players typically need a quick signing bonuses due to limited personal resources. Stewart’s Nile earnings allow him to maintain negotiation position without compromising financial security.

There are multiple options for Stewart

Stewart has various strategic options if the contract negotiations with Bengal fail. In accordance with Article 6 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, it may re -enter the NFL draft in 2026, and if it does not play football in 2025, the re -entry process makes Stewart suitable by any team except Cincinnati Bengals for the selection. It would be until 10th week to sign the rookie contract or to lose its compliance with 2025 until Tuesday.

Trade Request and University Return Opportunities

Stewart may demand a trade from the Bengal, although any rookie trades occurred at least 30 days before the start of the normal season. The deadline for such transactions decreases around 5 August or 8 August depending on the CBA interpretation.

A more controversial option includes Stewart’s potential return to Texas A&M for the senior season. CBS Sports College analyst Bud Elliott reported that Stewart is working at Texas A & M this summer and can consider returning to college football.

Elliott said, “A man with good A & M in the past, he hit me, like hey hey, Shemar can go back here,” Elliott said. “‘College was in the station, he was fully included in the training, he stays away from Bengal, the relationship is toxic. He can try to come back again this season and try to go back to the next year.'”

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NCAA rules prohibit the return of the draft players from returning to college football, but Stewart can make legal procedures to challenge these restrictions.

Impact of Bengallar Defense and Season Preparation

Stewart Holdout combines Bengals’s defense concerns alongside the absence of Trey Hendrickson. Both the team’s 2024 sack leader and the prescribed Pass Rush complement team are looking for team activities.

Cincinnati’s defense was one of the worst units of NFL last season. During the training camp, both Stewart and Hendrickson’s potential absence, defense preparation and performance at the beginning of the season may even endanger.

Joe Burrow discussed the impact of waiting on the team preparation.

“Of course, Bur Burrow said when he asked if hendrickson’s absence is distracted. “There were two last year. This year has one. So we have less. You want to have any of them, but this is life in NFL.”

Historical Context and Precedent

The Stewart situation represented the most contentious rookie contract stance since Joey Bosa’s 31 -day grip with Los Angeles Chargers in 2016. The waiting of Bosa is the longest by any rookie since the 2011 CBA application.

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The Bengals historically continued their solid positions in contract negotiations, which often caused expanded waiting and training camp absenteeism. Previous talks with players like Ja’marr Chase created similar deductions to team preparation and performance at the beginning of the season.