As the initiation of the preparatory camp is slated for the upcoming week, indications suggest that the Cincinnati Bengals’ progress toward securing the signature of their premier rookie, Shemar Stewart, mirrors the situation at the time of his drafting.
Stewart, a 21-year-old defensive lineman, departed from Cincinnati’s obligatory training in June, amidst a heated disagreement concerning the assurance stipulations within the agreement. Conversations between Stewart and the Bengals regarding the agreement have reportedly taken place subsequently, yet without yielding advancement.
As of Tuesday, sources indicate he’s been training apart from the Bengals at Texas A&M, his collegiate football alma mater for a duration of three years. The Cincinnati Enquirer verified Tuesday afternoon that he is utilizing the facilities at Texas A&M.
To clarify, as noted by Kelsey Conway of the Enquirer, this practice is not unusual. Stewart resides in Texas, and it’s “quite common” for NFL athletes to utilize their former institutions for training, according to her report. Stewart is not training in conjunction with the Texas A&M squad, but merely employing their facilities to maintain his physical readiness for football.
In actuality, Stewart isn’t the singular unsigned rookie leveraging his former school’s facilities this summer.
Jahdae Barron, a cornerback for the Denver Broncos, stands as the solitary other first-round selection (No. 20) yet to finalize his contract. He recently shared images on Instagram showcasing his training regimen at Texas.
In contrast to Stewart, there are no indications of a standoff between Barron and the Broncos. He actively participated in the Broncos’ training. Both he and head coach Sean Payton conveyed positive sentiments regarding his involvement.
“It feels like a familiar setting,” Barron communicated to reporters post-training.
Regardless of the underlying factors, both entities are yet to formalize the agreement on paper.
This contrasts with the circumstances surrounding Stewart and the Bengals. Genuine, overt opposition exists between the involved parties.
Stewart initially attended the training in June but abstained from participation in drills. As his contract remained unsigned, he departed from the training on June 12.
What is causing the delay?
Due to the rookie wage structure, the scope for negotiation in rookie contracts is minimal. As the No. 17 selection in the draft, Stewart is slated to sign a four-year agreement valued at $18.9 million, inclusive of a fifth-year team option as a first-round selection.
This arrangement is collectively negotiated and not open for individual negotiation.
Reports suggest the disagreement centers on future assurances. According to the Enquirer, the Bengals aim to establish a novel precedent in rookie agreements that empowers the team to invalidate future assured financial provisions. Stewart understandably dissents from this approach and has openly voiced his concerns.
“My stance is completely justified,” Stewart articulated on June 10, as per Jay Morrison of Sports Illustrated. “I’m not requesting something unprecedented. However, in your scenario, the focus seems to be on prevailing in disputes rather than securing additional victories.”
He further informed reporters that his participation in the preparatory camp holds “substantial importance.”
“This has been an integral part of my existence for a considerable period, and its abrupt cessation due to a readily resolvable matter is disheartening,” Stewart expressed. “…
“It’s essential. Adequate physical preparation is necessary to engage in football. Particularly as I transition from collegiate to professional football. It’s an exceptionally physical arena, irrespective of my experience in the SEC, which is undeniably physical. Yet, it pales in comparison to the rigors of the NFL.”
As of this moment, Stewart is independently undertaking his football training, detached from the Bengals, with no discernible indication of imminent agreement with the team.
What are the potential ramifications of a prolonged impasse?
Should the standoff persist beyond the preparatory camp and into the season, the involved parties would have until the Tuesday following Week 10 to finalize an agreement, failing which Stewart would be ineligible to participate in the 2025 season. If a resolution remains elusive prior to the forthcoming draft, Stewart would gain eligibility to register for the 2026 draft. In such a scenario, any team other than the Bengals would be entitled to select him.
Stewart is not the sole prominent Bengals defender embroiled in a contractual disagreement.
All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson also remains without an updated agreement, subsequent to his consecutive seasons boasting 17.5 sacks. In May, Hendrickson conveyed to reporters that the standoff had “assumed a personal dimension.” Uncertainty surrounds his participation in the preparatory camp as well.
As of Tuesday, there are no signals suggesting progress in negotiations between Hendrickson and the Bengals. Rookies are scheduled to report to the Bengals’ preparatory camp on Friday. Veterans are expected to report the following Tuesday.
