The Cincinnati Bengals drafted former Texas A&M Aggies EDGE rusher Shemar Stewart 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bengals took a chance on Stewart because he’s an athletic freak, scoring a perfect 10 RAS, but is a raw prospect, with only 4.5 career sacks at Texas A&M. Since he is raw, he needs to get all the practice reps he can get, which will assist him in his transition to the next level.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ rookie held out of rookie camp
Unlike most NFL teams, which typically have three days of rookie minicamp, the Cincinnati Bengals held their only rookie practice on Friday. The Bengals had their top two draft picks holding out of minicamp for contract reasons, including Shemar Stewart. Stewart attended Friday but did not participate in drills, as many fans were wondering why.
Here’s 1 major reason for him holding out
According to Mike Florio, the Cincinnati Bengals attempted to sign Shemar Stewart to his rookie contract before minicamp started, but to no avail. As Florio reports, talks stalled or “bogged down” because the percentage of the training-camp bonuses for future years was lower than that of the 17th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Dallas Turner.
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bengals tried to get Stewart signed. As we understand it, the talks bogged down regarding the percentage of compensation in future years to be paid as a training-camp roster bonus,” Florio said.
“The training-camp roster bonus has become a device for putting a sizable chunk of the player’s pay in his pockets in future years, early in the season. In this case, the numbers offered by the Bengals reflected a lower percentage than the 17th overall pick received in 2024.”
He hopes to sign a deal this week
During Friday’s locker room press conference, via Caleb Noe of WCPO, Shemar Stewart told the media that he decided not to sign his rookie contract after holding out of rookie minicamp. Stewart went on to say he hated being on the sidelines and watching everyone else practicing. He hopes to have his contract signed by next week.
“I just decided not to sign those papers … I hate being on the sideline looking at everybody else do work.”
Bengals 1st round pick Shemar Stewart said he hopes to have his contract signed by next week.
He did not participate in rookie minicamp today, but was present.#Bengals… pic.twitter.com/8HWqmL3ROV
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) May 9, 2025
