Shemar Stewart is considered one of 4 first-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft to stay unsigned this late into the offseason, however he is the one one to now go away camp over a contract dispute. Stewart departed the Cincinnati Bengals‘ minicamp on Thursday to keep away from being a distraction to his teammates, per The Athletic.
The supply of Stewart and the Bengals’ disagreement is over particular language in his contract – language that is not typical of the group’s rookie contracts, however has been inserted into Stewart’s supply. As ESPN reported, the problem is over language that would “probably void future assured cash.”
NBC Sports reported that the language in query was associated to a clause that claims a “default” by Stewart would void the ensures of not simply the 12 months by which the default occurred, however each remaining 12 months on his deal. Traditionally, the Bengals have solely made a default wipe out the ensures by which it occurred.
Stewart was vocal in regards to the causes for not working towards on Wednesday, when he instructed reporters that “I’m one hundred pc proper. I’m not asking for nothing y’all have by no means accomplished earlier than. However in y’all case, y’all simply need to win an argument as an alternative of successful extra video games.” Stewart continued, saying that he has the assist of his teammates, which has made issues simpler on him and his choice: “It’s made it very simple when the folks in right here, within the locker room, say ‘you’re doing the proper issues,’ particularly the star gamers.”
The rookie edge rusher, drafted out of Texas A&M College with the seventeenth decide this spring, had nonetheless been attending follow, and collaborating in every thing that did not contain truly taking the sphere and lining as much as play.
[Related: 3 best trade destinations for disgruntled Bengals star Trey Hendrickson]
What occurs subsequent? Stewart doesn’t have to signal with the Bengals, which does give him leverage in these talks. He will not get to play within the NFL with the Bengals with out agreeing to no matter contract they provide up, nevertheless, and Cincinnati appears intent on ready out their first-round decide to make sure that this language stays within the contract, even when it wasn’t beforehand the norm.
The Bengals would, per the phrases of the present collective bargaining settlement, retain Stewart’s rights for the complete 2025 NFL season, ought to he refuse to signal at any level. Stewart can be eligible to reenter the draft pool for the 2026 NFL Draft, nevertheless, and would even be free to play in one other soccer league since he is not below contract with the Bengals, if such a possibility had been to come up – nevertheless, the Canadian Soccer League, for instance, has already seen its season start.
Stewart wouldn’t be the primary to flex what leverage he has on this approach – gamers like John Elway, Jim Kelly, Bo Jackson, and Eli Manning prevented the groups that drafted them, however their disputes had been associated to the groups themselves. Stewart’s difficulty is particular language in his contract. How far he’ll take this dispute, provided that, stays to be seen. However both approach, the Bengals will not have their first-round decide energetic – and even formally a member of the group – till it is resolved.
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Shemar Stewart
Cincinnati Bengals
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