Stewart Signs with Bengals After Standoff

The standstill between Shemar Stewart and the Cincinnati Bengals has finally concluded. After a month filled with discussions, the first-round draft pick signed his rookie contract on Saturday, as confirmed by the team.

Stewart, a defensive end from Texas A&M, was selected as the 17th overall pick in the April draft. There had been some challenges related to contract terms, specifically regarding restructuring how the team approached rookie contracts.

In June, Stewart expressed his feelings about the process, stating, “I’m 100% correct… I’m not asking for anything you (the Bengals) haven’t done before.” He emphasized the need for the team to focus on winning games rather than merely trying to win contractual disputes.

During mini-camp, Stewart was present but wasn’t on the field. He had also skipped training camp earlier this week.

The terms of Stewart’s deal are notable: it’s worth $18.97 million, fully guaranteed, and includes a $10 million signing bonus. This makes him the last first-round pick of 2025 to sign a contract.

The Bengals struggled last season, missing the playoffs primarily due to defensive issues, and now they can shift their focus back to improving their lineup, including standout defender Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last year.

Interestingly, some veteran players have voiced their concerns about the Bengals’ management and the lack of clarity on contracts after the draft.