Former quarterback Chase Daniel had some strong words for the Cincinnati Bengals following the latest chapter in their ongoing saga.
Shemar Stewart Leaves the Facility, Bengals Embarrassed
The Bengals have had a complex offseason. Any successful work done in the practice field has been overshadowed by the ongoing nightmare between the organization and its defensive players.
The standoff between first-round draft pick Stewart and the Bengals’ front office came to a head on Thursday, when the rookie opted to leave the facility so as not to cause a distraction to his teammates.
It was the final day of the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp, and it would seem that the two sides are no closer on a deal than they have been since the draft itself.
Only a handful of first-round picks remain unsigned, with Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter being one of them.
Stewart’s situation is different, though. The Bengals are trying to wedge a new clause into the standard first-round draft pick contract terms, which gives them greater coverage to void guaranteed money under specific extreme circumstances.
The agent of the rookie, Zac Hiller, is holding firm and refusing those terms. It was also mentioned by former NFL defensive back Darius Butler on the Pat McAfee show that the NFL players’ association may be involved, recommending that Stewart not sign that deal under those conditions.
If he were to sign it, it would set a precedent for future first-round picks to do the same, causing a troubling situation in the years ahead. Other teams may then look to do the same. The saga is now much bigger than just Stewart himself, and it’s all being driven by the Bengals.
After it was confirmed that Stewart had left the practice facility, Chase Daniel had some choice words on X. He simply said:
“I’d be ashamed if I’m the Bengals.”
I’d be ashamed if I’m the Bengals. https://t.co/bkhMIGJcb2
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) June 12, 2025
He’s got a point, with such a minor clause in the contract resulting in a major fallout between the franchise and their first-round draft pick. Things couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start, and Stewart already appears fed up with his situation in the league before he even plays a down.
Stewart Desperately Needed the Time With His Coaches
The Bengals knew when they drafted him that Stewart was a project pick. He is not Abdul Carter, who came into the league ready to go from the first rep.
Stewart is a first-round pass rusher who only had 4.5 career sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M. They drafted him for the physical tools and the upside he has to be an elite-level edge rusher in the NFL.
For him to become that player, he needed every rep he could get in the run-up to the 2025 season. Instead, he stood sidelined for the entirety of rookie minicamp and both voluntary and mandatory OTAs. He didn’t get a single rep with the coaching staff, nor was he able to work on the technique he so desperately needs to polish.
It seems like a horrendous time to pick a fight over such a minor stipulation, particularly with a player selected as a project.
If the franchise can’t get a deal done with Trey Hendrickson, Stewart might be one of their most crucial pieces for the coming season. As of right now, he’s unlikely to be ready to fill that role.
