The Cincinnati Bengals have an enormous drawback on their arms.
First-round rookie Shemar Stewart has but to signal his contract, and it looks like he’s not going to budge.
Requested about that, Bengals govt Duke Tobin blamed Stewart’s advisers for not giving him correct counseling.
“I don’t blame Shemar. He’s listening to the recommendation he’s paying for. I don’t perceive the recommendation. … We’re treating him pretty,” Tobin stated, through Dov Kleiman.
Yikes: Bengals govt Duke Tobin on first-round decide Shemar Stewart nonetheless being unsigned:
“I do not blame Shemar. He is listening to the recommendation he is paying for. I do not perceive the recommendation… We’re treating him pretty.”
😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/oRbbw3mQJj
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 21, 2025
The Bengals reportedly are attempting to include new language into their contracts for first-round picks, and Stewart has drawn a line within the sand.
The language refers back to the potential voiding of future ensures, and whereas the Bengals have each proper to incorporate that sort of clause of their contracts, Stewart claims that he desires to signal an ordinary rookie deal, just like the one they gave their first-round picks prior to now.
He’s been understanding at Texas A&M, and a few stories state that he might make an unprecedented transfer by making an attempt to return to play in faculty after being drafted.
That doesn’t appear probably, and it will almost definitely require an advanced and complex authorized course of, to not point out a substantial period of time.
The Bengals have an extended historical past of contentious negotiations with their star gamers, and that probably prices them in pursuit of free brokers as properly.
The season is simply across the nook, and it’ll be fascinating to see how this example unfolds.
NEXT: Bengals Are Signing Former Falcons QB