The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft happened 88 days ago, yet the Cincinnati Bengals have still not reached a contract agreement with their top pick, Shemmer Stewart from Texas A&M. Stewart remains the only first-round draftee unsigned, and recent events suggest the standoff may continue. At the team’s Local Media Day, an annual event before training camp, Bengals owner Mike Brown expressed frustration over the contract dispute, particularly about the contract language rather than the money itself. Both sides apparently agree on the four-year, $18.9 million deal’s value but differ on clauses regarding future guarantees. Brown criticized Stewart’s camp for not accepting provisions that would allow the Bengals to void guarantees if Stewart faced suspension or legal issues, emphasizing they won’t pay a player "sitting in prison." Stewart’s camp insists on fully guaranteed money regardless of off-field legal troubles.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin noted this is about contract evolution and said Cincinnati will eventually align with the league’s standard practices, which many teams already include in rookie contracts. The Bengals recently signed second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. with similar provisions, leaving Stewart to be the test case. The holdout could continue into training camp, with the first practice scheduled soon and Stewart notably absent. Both Brown and Tobin expressed clear frustration, implying a resolution will require one side to give in. Tobin also subtly suggested Stewart’s agent might not be offering the best advice. Historically, since the 2011 CBA implemented rookie salary slots, the longest holdout was 31 days by Joey Bosa in 2016, but Stewart’s could stretch into mid-August, possibly beyond the Bengals’ first preseason game on August 7th.
Fan Take: This contract standoff is a critical moment for NFL rookie negotiations, highlighting the balance between player protections and team risk management. Fans should watch closely, as how this dispute resolves might set a precedent for future rookie deals and impact player-team relationships league-wide.
