Trey Hendrickson hasn’t received his payment yet, and rookie Shemmer Stewart is currently holding out due to issues with his contract. The sticking point seems to be specific language in the agreement. Duke Tobin, an executive with the Cincinnati Bengals, has stated he believes Stewart should be present as training camp approaches. “I think Shemmer needs to be here,” Tobin remarked to the press. He noted that while he doesn’t agree with the advice Stewart is following, he appreciates that Stewart is investing in his representation. If there’s a perception of being treated unfairly regarding the draft contracts, that’s another matter altogether.
Stewart, the 17th pick in the recent draft, walked out on the last day of a mandatory minicamp, where he hadn’t even participated on the field due to his unsigned contract. The Texas A&M product expressed that he wishes to avoid being a distraction for his teammates amidst this dispute.
He stated at the minicamp, “I’m 100% correct,” regarding his contract stance. Stewart emphasized that he’s not asking for anything unreasonable, yet he feels like the focus tends to be on winning the argument instead of winning games. The Bengals are reportedly attempting to reshape how they finalize rookie contracts for first-round picks, potentially putting guarantees at risk. Stewart feels the language in his contract is adequate, especially when compared to Amarius Mims, last year’s first-round pick, who did not have similar stipulations. It’s worth noting that Stewart was picked higher than Mims.
Zach Taylor, the head coach of the Bengals, commented on maintaining “good communication” with Stewart before he left minicamp, while owner Mike Brown described Stewart’s situation as “very strange.” Brown elaborated, saying it’s not a matter of money but rather about guarantees concerning league discipline. He expressed skepticism about a resolution happening soon, recalling that such situations have historically not occurred. Brown underscored that if a player engages in unacceptable behavior, there might be reluctance to pay him.
Training camp for the Bengals is set to kick off on July 23rd.
