The Cincinnati Bengals are holding out defensive end Shemar Stewart due to a contract dispute over the voiding of guarantees. According to the team’s language, defaulting on any year in the contract would wipe out all future guarantees. However, this same language is used from last year’s Amarius Mims contract.
The Bengals want to change this language for Stewart but are refusing to budge. As a result, Stewart has missed the entire offseason program and may be held out of training camp if the issue isn’t resolved. This delay will impact his preparation for Week 1, making it more difficult for him to contribute to the team.
The Bengals’ approach to contract disputes has been criticized in recent years, with players often missing valuable time due to disagreements over language and structure. The team’s reluctance to compromise may be costly, as losing one extra game can make a significant difference in their playoff chances.
Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/theres-a-simple-solution-to-the-shemar-stewart-impasse-with-the-bengals