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.