Bengals fans spent the spring celebrating new deals for the offense, but the bigger story could be brewing on defense. All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract, and first-round pick Shemar Stewart still has not signed.
With training camp underway and two defensive cornerstones missing, Cincinnati’s recent habit of slow starts suddenly feels more ominous. Solving those disputes now looks like the team’s top priority.
Will Shemar Stewart Sign With the Bengals Before the Postseason?
After locking down its offensive players on massive deals this offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have overlooked their defensive needs and are embroiled in two tense contract negotiations.
While the Hendrickson situation remains unresolved, the Bengals have yet to reach an agreement with first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The dispute is reportedly over a controversial clause in the rookie’s contract, and one analyst believes it will not end soon.
It is unusual for a first-round pick to enter training camp without a signed rookie deal, yet that is true for former Texas A&M defensive end Stewart, whom Cincinnati selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati reportedly included a clause in Stewart’s $18.94 million contract that states if he “defaults,” meaning he is suspended or violates team rules, the guarantees of his contract for that season would be voided.
Some very frank and direct comments from Shemar Stewart, and why he continues to feel he’s 100 percent right to sit out. Clearly very upset and frustrated with Bengals that he is not signed and on the field. pic.twitter.com/WawvWU8QKu
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) June 10, 2025
The player wants the clause removed, and the Bengals are not budging, creating a tense standoff between the two sides. While it is unclear what concerns Cincinnati has about Stewart’s behavior, PFSN’s Jacob Infante predicts the dispute will not be resolved before the preseason.
“Though the Cincinnati Bengals have a few more months before forfeiting the selection of Shemar Stewart becomes a real possibility, they don’t seem to be close on his rookie contract,” Infante wrote. “I don’t foresee this stalemate ending before the end of the preseason, let alone by the time training camp kicks off.”
Stewart, who wrapped up the 2024 season with 31 total tackles, 14 of them solo, has been staying away from Bengals team activities as he waits for the team to address his concerns and is working out at Texas A&M, roughly 1,000 miles away. Meanwhile, as with Hendrickson, the team has shown little inclination to bend.
The Bengals have started five of the last six seasons 0-2, starts that led to them failing to reach the postseason in four of those years. Cincinnati scored the sixth-most points on offense in 2024, yet missed the playoffs due to a defensive showing that ranked 28th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
With their first-round pick and star edge rusher holding out, it is hard to find positives in the Bengals’ approach. Both situations will be worth watching in the coming weeks, with fewer than 50 days until the 2025 season begins.
