Bengals Balk at Guaranteeing Shemar Stewart’s Contract in Case of Criminal Acts

Shemar Stewart, who was drafted from the Texas A&M Aggies by the Bengals, is yet to sign a contract as the standoff continues.

Bengals Balk at Guaranteeing Shemar Stewart’s Contract in Case of Criminal Acts

Shemar Stewart (Image via Sports Al Dente)

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The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 draftee Shemar Stewart is still unsigned despite the Bengals starting training camp tomorrow at the Kettering Health Practice Fields. The latest developments suggested that the current stagnancy is not due to debates about money but other clauses of his contract.

The rookie and the Bengals management have been sparring over the contract language. The Bengals want to include language that would void guaranteed money if Stewart defaults in specific categories outlined by the team.

Notably, this type of clause has not been included in any of the franchise’s previous first-round picks’ contracts, which is why Stewart has declined to sign the deal.

NFL Insider Ari Meirov shared an anecdote from Bengals executive Duke Tobin a day ago. Tobin noted that they have been pushing for Stewart to join the squad, but they have hit a snag due to certain advice from his agent. He added that the contracts evolve in time.

He needs to be here. I would encourage him to be here. … He’s listening to the advice he’s paying for (from his agents). I don’t understand the advice…We’re treating him fairly.

Duke Tobin via Ari Meirov

Zac Hiller, the 21-year-old’s agent, took a direct shot at Duke Tobin after the latter claimed that he didn’t even understand what kind of advice Stewart is being given. Hiller, in a personal phone call with Mike Florio of NBC Sports, alleged that Tobin is not even a part of the contract negotiations.

Duke Tobin has had no involvement in this negotiation. It seems to be above his pay grade.

Mike Brown broke tradition and spoke at the Bengals pre-camp luncheon

Bengals owner Mike Brown has put in his two cents about the situation at the pre-training camp luncheon. He explained that the current situation has nothing to do with money. Brown made it clear that the Bengals’ management can’t approve of certain behaviors from their rookies or any players whom they offer guaranteed deals.

Bengals owner Mike Brown
Bengals owner Mike Brown (Image via Cincinnati Bengals)

According to Brown, Zac Hiller has been pushing for a fully guaranteed deal that can’t be redacted even if Stewart committed a serious violation, as severe as going to prison.

His agent wants it to be so that if he acted in a terrible fashion – this is all hypothetical – something that rises to the level of going to prison, that we would be on the line for the guarantee for the future years that hadn’t been paid. Our position is if that happens, we’re not going to be paying someone who is sitting in jail. That’s not what we’re going to do.

Mike Brown said at the pre-camp luncheon

The owner nevertheless noted that the deal will take place despite the standoff. The Cincinnati Bengals have successfully signed every first-round pick in team history except one, linebacker Ricky Hunley, who refused to sign 41 years ago and was eventually traded in October. After all, Brown is a stickler for tradition, and he bends over backwards in most cases to secure players.

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