Money Talks: Bengals’ First-Round Pick Shemar Stewart Skips OTAs Amid Rookie Contract Standoff

Shemar Stewart was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the NFL Draft out of Texas A&M this past April. Yesterday, Adam Schefter reported that Stewart had left mandatory team activities amid contract disputes.

It was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Stewart was leaving without his contract being signed. The issue centers around a few clauses in the deal that do not guarantee him bus money if the Miami native is released during his rookie contract. ESPN’s Chris Canty also stated that Cincinnati has put the defensive end in an uncomfortable situation. Typically, first-round picks get their entire deal guaranteed.

Cincinnati’s unsigned first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart now has left mandatory minicamp, per source. Stewart had been attending team activities, but without a signed contract and with the Bengals asking for certain clauses, no longer. pic.twitter.com/qeo492Z6As

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 12, 2025

This isn’t the first time the Bengals have struggled to get their guys locked down contractually. There are five other first-round rookies whose deals haven’t been signed. However, they did not complete the required team activities.

The player is seriously considering entering the 2026 NFL Draft. The other option is to request a trade and be dealt thirty days before the first game of the season, requiring him to be traded by August 5th.

He could sit out the entire year, or, crazy enough, he could go back to college if he wanted to. Logically, he’ll continue to work out during the offseason if the Bengals don’t meet him in the middle. It’s a very unfair position for a player trying to progress to the next level while also trying to learn on the fly.