Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart is withholding signing his contract agreement
The Cincinnati Bengals are embroiled in a contract dispute with their first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, who is yet to sign his rookie deal. The impasse centers on the language related to "conduct detrimental" that could void contract guarantees.
The Bengals are pushing for stronger language to void guarantees for any breach, while Stewart's camp prefers softer terms that resemble the language used in the Bengals' past first-round picks' contracts. This disagreement has delayed Stewart's signing of his fully guaranteed rookie contract, despite it not being a monetary dispute.
Bengals president Mike Brown has expressed frustration over the delay, criticizing the hold-up as "foolishness." The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) generally contends that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) supersedes any contract language attempting to void guarantees too aggressively, reflecting the typical player position in such matters.
The dispute over contract language is a rare and unusual type of rookie contract dispute. By late July 2025, Stewart's contract was close to signing, with some compromise reached, according to reports.
In April, Trey Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, questioned the professionalism of the Bengals' front office after executive Katie Blackburn made public comments about his status before the draft. Hendrickson, like Stewart, is also not reporting to camp and is seeking a new deal with guarantees beyond the first year.
Shemar Stewart has been training at Texas A&M facilities during the contract standoff and continues to be away from the team as training camp got underway. The Bengals' history with first-round draft picks is spotty, and the all-around acrimony between players and the team has disappointed quarterback Joe Burrow.
"It's obviously disappointing not to have all the players present during training camp," Burrow said. "But it's a part of the business of the NFL."
This situation illustrates ongoing tensions over contract language related to default and conduct clauses in NFL rookie deals within the framework of the NFLPA's protections under the CBA.
[1] ESPN. (2023, June 28). Bengals' Mike Brown on Shemar Stewart's holdout: 'It's foolishness'. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35217777/bengals-mike-brown-shemar-stewart-holdout-foolishness
[2] NFL.com. (2023, July 12). Bengals' Shemar Stewart concessions could lead to rookie deal signing by late July. Retrieved from https://www.nfl.com/news/bengals-shemar-stewart-concessions-could-lead-to-rookie-deal-signing-by-late-july
[3] Pro Football Talk. (2023, June 28). Bengals' Mike Brown: Shemar Stewart holdout is 'foolishness'. Retrieved from https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/06/28/bengals-mike-brown-shemar-stewart-holdout-is-foolishness/
[4] The Athletic. (2023, July 12). Bengals, Shemar Stewart close to agreement on rookie deal, sources say. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/3390812/2023/07/12/bengals-shemar-stewart-close-to-agreement-on-rookie-deal-sources-say/
[5] Sports Illustrated. (2023, June 28). Bengals' Mike Brown: Shemar Stewart holdout 'foolishness'. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/bengals-shemar-stewart-holdout-foolishness-mike-brown
- Despite not being a monetary dispute, the disagreement over contract language related to "conduct detrimental" has caused a delay in Shemar Stewart's signing of his fully guaranteed rookie contract in American football, which is part of the NFL.
- The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has played a significant role in Stewart's contract dispute, as it generally contends that the contract language attempting to void guarantees too aggressively should be aligned with past agreements.
- The ongoing dispute over contract language in NFL rookie deals, such as the one between Shemar Stewart and the Cincinnati Bengals, highlights ongoing tensions related to default and conduct clauses, with the NFLPA acting as a protector of player rights under the CBA.
