The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Shemar Stewart in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft from the Texas A&M Aggies. It is a major surprise that Cincinnati and Stewart have not agreed to a rookie contract by now.
He has not been on the field for OTAs or mandatory minicamp for that matter. Hopefully the Bengals and Stewart can agree to a deal before training camp begins. Not only has Cincinnati not signed Stewart yet, but they haven’t given Trey Hendrickson a contract extension as well.
Analyst Defends Cincinnati Bengals Shemar Stewart For Not Signing His Rookie Deal Yet
Many people are questioning why Stewart hasn’t signed with Cincinnati yet, but some people are defending him for not signing his rookie deal yet. Craig Carton was on The Breakfast Ball on FS1 on Friday morning talking about the Stewart and Bengals contract dispute. Carton said,
“”I feel bad for the kid. This is a lifelong dream to make it to the NFL. First round draft pick. Unfortunately he got chosen by the wrong team. You cannot be against Stewart here. He’s done nothing wrong.””
There is no doubt that Cincinnati needed to draft a defensive lineman in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Quarterback Joe Burrow knows how much of a distraction it is that Stewart and Hendrickson have not signed contracts yet. The Bengals were one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL during the 2024 NFL season.
If Cincinnati wants to make the playoffs in 2025, they will need to sign Hendrickson to a long-term deal and also get Stewart to sign his rookie to deal before training camp. The Bengals have been known for being cheap and this is the latest example of it.
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