Shemar Stewart Holds Out: Bengals Rookie Revolt and College Comeback Talk

Shemar Stewart refuses Bengals rookie deal amid dispute over contract clause. Seen training at Texas A&M, exploring return or draft re-entry. Impact on Bengal sand future.

🧭 Background & Draft Status

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft .
Stewart is a 6’5″, 267‑lb defensive end from Texas A&M, born Nov 12, 2003, and part of the 2022 recruiting class.
He was expected to rotate with veterans like Trey Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai, and Myles Murphy in the Bengals’ 4‑3 defense .

💼 Rookie Contract Dispute

Stewart has not yet signed his four-year, ~$18.94 million fully guaranteed rookie deal .
Bengals inserted anew claw back clause cancelling all future guarantees if Stewart violates certain terms—steeper than usual penalties .
This language deviates from what previous first‑round picks received and triggered Stewart’s holdout.

🏃 Training at Texas A&M: Message or Maintenance?

Stewart has been working out at Texas A&M facilities—but reports differ on whether he’s joining team workouts .
On Cover 3 podcast, Bud Elliott suggested Stewart may use this as leverage or might attempt a category shuffle—but NCAA rules forbid re-entry without legal challenges .
Return to A&M would require sitting out a year or winning an NCAA waiver—complex and unprecedented .

⚖️ Potential Outcomes & Ramifications

Agree on contract: Stewart signs, reports to training camp, expected to rotate in defensive end role.
Hold out& re-enter draft: If he refuses to sign, he forfeits the 2025 season but remains Bengals property until 2026 NFL Draft—unless he rehabilitates that via sitting out .
Return to college: Unlikely but still in discussion, NCAA eligibility questionable.

🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨🚨#Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart left the team and went back to practicing with Texas A&M.

Stewart now may not play in the NFL this season & return to Texas A&M and re-enter the draft in 2026.

Shemar has been practicing with the Aggies all summer. pic.twitter.com/G0grue7mtO

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 15, 2025

🧠 Fan & Media Reaction

Online fandom is divided. A Silver and Black poll had ~53% against the Raiders trading for Stewart vs 47% in favor .
Critics point to his limited Texas A&M production (4.5 sacks, 12 TFLs over 3 years), calling the pick and contract stance risky .

“Test Case” in Rookie Negotiations

This situation sets precedent: other teams (e.g., Giants) already use similar contract language—Bengals creating a new standard.
SI noted Stewart may legally challenge NCAA/contract norms in court, which could alter rookies’ future leverage .

📰 Strategic Considerations

With training camp looming, Bengals face pressure to resolve the dispute or risk Stewart missing the season .

The club must weigh letting a first‑round talent sit out versus enforcing standardized contract wording .

🔮 What’s Next

Expect a resolution—or at least new guidance—shortly before late July, when full camp begins.
Stewart’s presence or absence will define his rookie year, and potentially the edge‑rusher group plans .
Watch for any legal filings challenging either NCAA eligibility or contract validity.