The Cincinnati Bengals have been finding themselves in a defensive struggle, not just on the field, but with contracts for their defensive pieces as well. First-round pick Shemar Stewart is experiencing this firsthand following the ongoing saga that has plagued Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals just cannot get deals done with their cornerstone of the defensive line or their future, and one NFL analyst is tired of seeing the Bengals not get a deal done for the rookie Stewart. Considering negotiations have gone on for some time, with the draft feeling like it was ages ago, fans are probably also eager to see this deal get done for Stewart.
The Bengals’ Mishandling of Shemar Stewart’s Contract Does Not Sit Right With NFL Analysts
While speaking on “NFL Live,” Jeremy Fowler, Field Yates, current Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and Ryan Clark speak about the current situation revolving around Stewart.
Yates gets the conversation going by stating, “This one is inexcusable… we are talking about minute details of a contract that is pages upon pages long. This was one of the rawest players taken in the entire first round. Those reps are valuable for all rookies.”
Yates is speaking on the fact that Stewart has not yet been present in the building for any rookie mini-camps, team activities, or anything for the Bengals, as the two sides cannot come to an agreement over small details in the first-round pick’s contract. Clark chimed in on this by saying, “Getting these minute details fixed is what the CBA was supposed to do with the way they set up rookie contracts.”
Can Stewart and the Bengals Get a Deal Done Before Training Camp?
The Bengals’ rookies are set to report to training camp on July 19, and as of now, it seems like Stewart will not be in attendance. As Yates stated, getting time in as a rookie, especially one who comes in with raw talent, is valuable. The Bengals, who have also recently reignited talks with their veteran Hendrickson, risk starting the season without what could be two major pieces of their front seven.
While it is not a guarantee that Stewart will start right away should a contract come together, the longer his contract takes to get done means the more reps he will miss. The more reps he misses, the longer it will take for Stewart to be NFL game-ready. If there is one thing that the Bengals cannot afford, it is putting their defensive growth on hold.
PSFN currently ranks the Bengals’ defense at 28 heading into the 2025 season.
Anyone bashing the Bengals for the stewart situation is a half-witted dingleberry. A rookie who did NOTHING in college is LUCKY enough to get a one in a million shot at the NFL, and thinks he is above signing a clause that MOST of the league has in their contracts. And his immature 5 year old reasoning of ‘i was taken ONE spot before last years pick, and he didn’t have it in his contract’….???? It’s getting to the point where Karma should end his career before it starts and force him to use his college education LOL