Shemar Stewart has been seemingly locked in a contract dispute since the Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Stewart left the team’s offseason workouts early without a contract, sparking rumors that he could return to college.
His former head coach at Texas A&M recently poured cold water on any speculation.
Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart Likely Won’t Return to Texas A&M, According to Former Head Coach
Stewart posted 4.5 sacks over three seasons with the Aggies. However, he vaulted up draft boards after a freakish performance at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, had a 40″ vertical jump, and had a 10’11” broad jump after measuring 6’5″, 267 pounds.
That performance landed Stewart in the Bengals’ lap with the 17th overall pick, but the relationship hasn’t started well.
The Bengals want Stewart’s contract to include language that would void any guaranteed money should the rookie get injured off the field. Cincinnati took Amarius Mims at No. 18 in the 2024 NFL Draft and didn’t have that same language. Stewart doesn’t want to be used to create a new precedent.
Stewart’s lengthy contract negotiation has brought on speculation that he could return to school for the 2025 season. According to a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko recently spoke about Stewart and shut down any rumors.
Schefter tweeted, “Texas A&M coach Mike Elko on Thursday quashed any speculation about Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart potentially seeking a return to college amid a contract dispute with the NFL team. Story via @Ben_Baby:”
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko on Thursday quashed any speculation about Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart potentially seeking a return to college amid a contract dispute with the NFL team.
Story via @Ben_Baby:https://t.co/UNn7sjoRhq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2025
Schefter referenced an article by ESPN colleague Ben Baby, who noted that Stewart has been working out at the Texas A&M facility during the summer. Baby also mentioned that Stewart would likely have to sue the NCAA to regain his final year of eligibility.
This contract situation has become a mess for the Bengals, who are also dealing with a disgruntled Trey Hendrickson. The veteran just watched another defensive end get paid big money as the Pittsburgh Steelers gave T.J. Watt $41 million annually.
“Shemar Stewart is back with us, working out, getting ready to go to Cincinnati to play in the NFL. It’s amazing what can get created on social media these days.”
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko confirms that Bengals 1st round pick Shemar Stewart is just working out with his old… pic.twitter.com/HZ9696d6yu
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 17, 2025
Cincinnati’s defense was the main reason they missed the playoffs last season. Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in 2024. The rest of the team had 18.5. Stewart didn’t have a big sack total in college, but he’s expected to be Hendrickson’s future replacement.
After Hendrickson and Stewart, Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy are the Bengals’ best options at defensive end. Ossai posted five sacks last season, while Murphy only has three in his brief career.
Stewart technically has the option to return to school, but Elko expects him to play with the Bengals this season. Cincinnati’s training camp opens soon, so a quick resolution is in the team’s and Stewart’s best interest.
