One NFL analyst asserts that Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart could take a stand that would flip the nature of rookie negotiations. By the middle of June, most recent draft picks have signed their entry contracts and officially begun their journey to the NFL.
While their headspace gets clouded with scheme knowledge and practice schedules, the bond among teammates starts to form. However, Stewart does not walk that path due to an unsigned contract. He left mandatory minicamp, and that could affect the Bengals in the long run.
Could Shemar Stewart Enter the 2026 NFL Draft?
Despite the drama surrounding the contract situation, the Bengals and their first-round pick remain at odds over his rookie deal. In recent memory, draft picks will take the contract parameters and stay in camp.
Still, this situation feels different. According to USA Today, the Bengals’ contract includes an option for them to void future guarantees. Stewart remains unmoved and unchanged.
With the negotiations taking an unprecedented turn, Jordan Reid of ESPN talks about one possible option that Stewart can take.
For those wondering (and if it even gets to this extreme), Shemar Stewart can re-enter the 2026 draft, but he would have to sit out a year. This would make him eligible to be selected by any team other than CIN.
A year off for a pass rusher that needs development is not ideal. https://t.co/QU5152Ddjg
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) June 12, 2025
“For those wondering (and if it even gets to this extreme), Shemar Stewart can re-enter the 2026 draft, but he would have to sit out a year,” Reid said. “This would make him eligible to be selected by any team other than Cin. A year off for a pass rusher that needs development is not ideal.”
Pass rushers, although highly athletic, still need to put in their work as rookies. The only way to get those reps is in practice and games. From both sides, this feels like a nuclear option situation over the contract.
It would hurt both parties. For argument’s sake, if Stewart heads into the 2026 NFL Draft pool, what happens? After taking a year off and causing a distraction, it’s doubtful that he would be a first-round draft pick. So, his earning potential on a rookie deal would decrease significantly.
NFL insider Adam Schefter discussed the matter further.
Cincinnati’s unsigned first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart now has left mandatory minicamp, per source. Stewart had been attending team activities, but without a signed contract and with the Bengals asking for certain clauses, no longer. pic.twitter.com/qeo492Z6As
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 12, 2025
“Cincinnati’s unsigned first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart now has left mandatory minicamp, per source,” Schefter wrote on X. “Stewart had been attending team activities, but without a signed contract and with the Bengals asking for certain clauses, no longer.”
Cincinnati is already locked in a contract conflict with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who also missed camp. The perennial Pro Bowler wants a contract commensurate with other pass rushers who recently cashed in on big deals.
Hendrickson’s sack totals over the last two seasons (35) eclipse all of those contemporaries who received significant pay raises. In March, Hendrickson’s bookend, Sam Hubbard, announced his retirement.
For years, the Bengals earned a negative reputation for mishandling player contracts. Now, this bolsters those notions.
The obstinacy between Stewart and the Bengals hurts everyone. The longer this goes, the longer Cincinnati will lack any substantive pass rush to scheme around, which Hendrickson compounds with his absence.
Stewart does maintain his rights to handle his career the way he sees fit. Both sides will continue the stalemate until the language in the contract changes. Stewart will probably play with the Bengals sooner or later. In the meantime, the standoff goes on for another day.
