Shemar Stewart throws jabs at Bengals amidst ‘disappointing’ contract dispute
Photo Credit: Perry Knotss/NFL
It’s not rare for rookies to take a while to sign their first NFL contract, especially higher picks who are looking to maximize their worth and value. However, no contract dispute is more public than the one between the Cincinnati Bengals and first-round pick Shemar Stewart.
“I’m not asking for nothing y’all have never done before,” Stewart said to reporters at his locker, directing shots at his new team. “But in y’all’s case, y’all just want to win arguments more than winning more games.”
The Bengals selected Stewart with the 17th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. While the defensive end only had 4.5 sacks in three college seasons, his raw talent and upside landed him in Cincinnati.
The dispute had been brewing for a while, but heated up as the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp approached in early June. With no contract, Stewart has not practiced with the Bengals or participated in offseason workouts. Stewart was present for most of the three-day camp, but left on Thursday, the final day, according to head coach Zac Taylor.
Taylor prefers that all of his rookies participate in mandatory minicamp, but is excited for when Stewart eventually signs his contract and hits the field.
“There's a first for everything," said Zac Taylor. "Every year, you kind of learn something new in this position. And this is one of those things that the players have managed really well, and we keep the team moving. And when he jumps on the field, it'll be great for our team."
Taylor characterized the situation as “unusual” and would not commit to Stewart being signed and on the field for training camp in late July and early August.
Stewart has been attending team meetings and activities while working at the facility regularly to stay in shape.
"It's very important," Stewart said. "You've got to get your body somewhat prepared to play football, especially me coming from college to the NFL. It's a way more physical game, even though I played in the SEC, which is very physical, but nothing compares to actually playing in the NFL. I thought I'd be on the field by now, that's what I thought."
Stewart’s frustration stems from the Bengals changing the language in his contract that would allow the team to void future guaranteed money, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Stewart used Bengals 2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims’ rookie contract as an example. His future guarantees were not voided in his contract agreement. Myles Murphy, the Bengals’ first-round pick in 2023, received the same structure and language in his deal that Mims did.
What makes the situation worse for the Bengals is that this is not the only public contract dispute they are facing backlash for. Star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who plays the same position as Stewart, has been looking for a raise all offseason and has been adamant about it. The four-time All-Pro is worthy of a raise, having posted back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks, leading the league last year. Hendrickson’s production and pedigree should equate to being one of, if not the highest paid, pass rushers in the league.
"We'll all agree Trey would be right, right?" Stewart asked a group of reporters this week. "But, technically, he's still 1% wrong for being under contract. In my case, I'm 100% right, so it should be a no-brainer. In Trey's case, I think it should be a no-brainer, too. He had 17.5 sacks (the last two years). If I was the GM or if I was the owner, take all my money, but I guess they don't offer it like that."
“They’ve (the Bengals) had my back since free agency originally,” said Trey Hendrickson to reporters at OTAs in May. Coming out of New Orleans with a lot of question marks around my name, so to say they don’t have my back is not true; I think they do. I think they’ve done right by their own perspective. My perspective is, unfortunately, a little different.”
Hendrickson requested a trade last offseason when it was clear a new contract wouldn’t be coming his way. He once again requested a trade this offseason and will not play for the team under his current contract. The 30-year-old did not participate in OTAs and was not present for mandatory minicamp. He is set to make $16 million in what is the final year of his contract.
The Bengals haven’t been shy about throwing around money this offseason. They signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million contract and Tee Higgins to a four-year, $115 million contract. Chase’s annual average salary of $40.25 million is the highest in league history for a non-quarterback.
The team has the eighth-most amount of cap space ($32.6 million) in the league, per Spotrac, but 89-year-old owner Mike Brown has always been cheap. The Bengals seem to attract contract controversy often, with it also happening with franchise Quarterback Joe Burrow in 2023 and Chase in 2024.
While their offense is filled with star power and has been paid the big bucks, their defense is another story. The Bengals’ defense was their kryptonite in 2024, leading to the team missing the playoffs, despite fantastic seasons from Burrow and Chase. It would be wise for Brown and the Bengals to put an end to these contract disputes by catering to Hendrickson’s and Stewart’s needs, so that they can get back to competing for Super Bowls like they were in 2021-22.
