The contract standoff between Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart and the franchise has taken a new turn, drawing in Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey. As Stewart remains the only unsigned AFC North first-rounder from the 2025 NFL Draft, Humphrey’s tweet has added fuel to an already tense situation.
Marlon Humphrey’s 6-Word Tweet Sparks Tension Amid Shemar Stewart’s Bengals Contract Standoff
Stewart, drafted 17th overall by the Bengals, has yet to sign his rookie contract due to disagreements over certain clauses that could void his guaranteed money. These disputes have led him to skip Organized Team Activities (OTAs), though he has attended team meetings. His absence stems from a demand for straightforward contract language, free from “default trigger” provisions that could jeopardize his guarantees.
Contract wasn’t signed but still practicing👏 https://t.co/h8LjBIryDA
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) May 29, 2025
The situation drew public attention when the Ravens announced that their first-round pick, Malaki Starks, had signed a four-year rookie deal. On the same day, Humphrey shared a pointed six-word message on social media: “Contract wasn’t signed but still practicing.”
This comment was widely interpreted as a subtle jab at Stewart, who has yet to participate in on-field drills due to the contract impasse. The timing of Humphrey’s tweet, just hours after the Ravens’ announcement, intensified its perceived relevance. While Humphrey later clarified, “I actually was taking a shot at agents. Didn’t mean no disrespect to the Bengals player yall talking about lol,” the initial interpretation had already caught media and fan attention.
Humphrey’s remark was seen not just as a personal comment but also as a broader cultural critique. By highlighting that Starks practiced despite not having finalized his deal, Humphrey appeared to underline a team-first mentality and question the increasing use of holdouts as leverage in rookie negotiations.
Veteran voices also weighed in. On Breakfast Ball, three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth criticized the Bengals, saying, “It’s just a bad look for the Bengals and how they do business.” He emphasized that rookie contracts are slotted, suggesting the issue lies in the franchise’s attempt to “get over on the player” through contract language.
Similarly, broadcaster Craig Carton supported Stewart’s stance, stating the rookie is justified in demanding standard language without risky clauses. He underscored that Stewart, like his peers, deserves clarity and protection in his first NFL contract.
As the Bengals and Stewart remain at a standstill, the public scrutiny from players like Humphrey and analysts like Schlereth and Carton has only increased the pressure. How this contract saga resolves could set a precedent for future rookie negotiations across the NFL.