Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart Ends Minicamp Amid Contract Dispute

Shemar Stewart, the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick and rookie defensive end, has escalated his contract dispute by skipping the final day of the team's mandatory minicamp, signaling his refusal to sign the rookie deal due to concerns over contract language. Although Stewart attended the minicamp initially, he participated only as an observer and left early on the last day, deepening the standoff between himself and the Bengals. This situation compounds the Bengals' offseason challenges, as they are also dealing with a contract holdout from veteran Trey Hendrickson, whom Stewart is expected to eventually replace. If Stewart sits out the entire 2025 season, under the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, he could re-enter the 2026 NFL Draft, although the Bengals would no longer have rights to him. Stewart's holdout jeopardizes his opportunity to start in Week 1 against Cleveland and leaves his immediate NFL future uncertain. The Bengals continue to negotiate, but no resolution appears imminent at this time.