The Cincinnati Bengals are no closer to getting Shemar Stewart signed to his rookie deal, and their first-round pick has left mandatory minicamp as the defensive end’s contract stand-off with the team drags on.
Stewart has to yet to put pen to paper on his four-year rookie contract because of a dispute over a clause regarding the potential voiding of the future years of the deal.
And, with no resolution on the horizon, Stewart has left the team’s facility, though his decision is not said to be a negotiating tactic on his part.
Instead, Stewart is reported to have elected to leave to avoid being a distraction to his future teammates.
As he is not under contract, Stewart was not obligated to remain at minicamp.
The Bengals selected Stewart with the 17th overall pick out of Texas A&M, betting on his freakish athletic traits to translate at the NFL level despite him tallying just 4.5 sacks in three seasons with the Aggies.
Stewart has limited options as this impasse continues, though he could sit out the entire 2025 season and re-enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bengals are also without defensive end Trey Hendrickson at minicamp as he holds out in search of a contract extension. Hendrickson is entering the final year of his deal after leading the league with 17.5 sacks last season.
