Football player Shemar Stewart of the Bengals team receives a warning for pushing quarterback Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp Disrupted by Scuffle Involving Rookie Shemar Stewart
The Cincinnati Bengals' training camp took an unexpected turn on August 13, 2025, when a scuffle broke out between rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart and quarterback Joe Burrow.
The incident occurred during a pass rush drill, with Stewart inadvertently hitting Burrow in the midsection, causing him to fall to the ground. Despite the physical nature of the play, Burrow was uninjured. The altercation was a culmination of a challenging practice for the Bengals' offensive line, struggling to contain the defensive line.
Offensive lineman Lucas Patrick, defending Burrow, confronted Stewart, leading to a broader altercation involving multiple teammates. The incident was described as a response to Stewart's aggressive hit and the ongoing pressure the defenders had been putting on the offense throughout practice.
Bengals center Ted Karras commented that while Stewart’s intensity was welcomed, the hit on Burrow crossed a line. Karras emphasized the need for smarter play and better protection of their star quarterback. Karras acknowledged that physical confrontations like this were almost inevitable given the competitive nature in camp and that the team handled it well without shutting down practice.
Stewart later addressed the incident, explaining that the hit was accidental and that Burrow reacted perfectly to it. Despite the scuffle, Stewart has continued to impress the team with his pass-rushing ability in subsequent practices.
It's worth noting that Stewart had a contract saga before signing with the Bengals, drafted to address their pass-rushing needs. The Bengals' defense was a significant issue in the 2024 season, keeping them out of the playoffs despite Joe Burrow's elite performance.
With Ja'Marr Chase forming an elite receiving core alongside Burrow, the Bengals are looking forward to the 2025 NFL season, which will open against the Cleveland Browns on September 7. However, the contract situation of another key player, Trey Hendrickson, remains unresolved.
[1] ESPN News
[2] Cincinnati Enquirer
[3] NFL.com
[4] CBS Sports
[5] Sports Illustrated
- The accidental hit on Joe Burrow by Shemar Stewart during a training camp drill raised concerns within the Cincinnati Bengals, as the team looks to avoid a repeat of the physical missteps that kept them out of the 2024 playoffs.
- The ongoing contract negotiations with Trey Hendrickson add another layer of uncertainty to the Bengals' preparations for the 2025 NFL season, where they will open against the Cleveland Browns on September 7.
- Despite the scuffle, Shemar Stewart's pass-rushing ability has continued to impress the Bengals, strengthening their defense, a key area of focus following the 2024 season's disappointing playoff omission.
