The Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with two contract disputes simultaneously, one involving All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and the other with rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart. While Hendrickson’s situation appears to be moving forward, a resolution remains elusive for Stewart.
Bengals executive Duke Tobin expressed his desire for Stewart to sign his contract, stating that he needs to be on the team. However, Stewart’s representatives are holding out due to concerns over guaranteed money in case of disciplinary action by the NFL. This has led to a stalemate, with neither side willing to compromise.
The issue stems from Stewart’s agent wanting the Bengals to guarantee that they would not pay him if he acted in a way deemed unacceptable, even if it were related to his own behavior rather than external actions. The Bengals’ stance is that they should only be held accountable for their own actions, and Tobin has stated that he does not want to pay Stewart if he engages in unacceptable behavior.
The situation highlights the challenges of rookie contracts and the intricacies of NFL player agreements. As training camp begins, the Bengals must navigate these complex issues while also trying to secure Hendrickson’s signature on his contract.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/07/21/sports/bengals-leadership-livid-over-shemar-stewarts-contract-holdout