It’s June, and the NFL offseason should be a time for quiet workouts, low-key optimism, and rookies getting comfortable with their new teams. But for the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s anything but calm right now. The franchise is caught up in a messy contract standoff with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, and it’s starting to turn heads across the league.
A Rookie, a Holdout, and a Whole Lot of Drama
Stewart, one of the top defensive prospects from the last NFL Draft, is still unsigned. That’s right—he’s the lone first-rounder who hasn’t inked his rookie deal yet. And if you’re wondering why, buckle up, because this one’s not just about dollars—it’s about contract language, guarantees, and, frankly, a whole lot of stubbornness on both sides.
Let’s rewind. Rookie deals are typically routine, especially for first-rounders. There’s a structure, there’s precedent, and there’s not much wiggle room. But the Bengals have apparently decided it’s time to shake things up. According to multiple reports, Cincinnati wants to insert new language in Stewart’s contract—language that could potentially void parts of his guarantees under certain conditions.
Stewart’s Agent Sounds Off
Enter Zac Hiller, Stewart’s agent. He didn’t mince words during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. His message? Loud and clear.
“Obviously, my job, and all agents’ job, is to protect the players,” Hiller explained. “Shemar would, of course, love for his contract to be as protective as the rest of his Bengals teammates in the past. And, simply put, the way the contract currently reads is not as protective.”
Hiller doubled down, emphasizing this isn’t just about Shemar—it’s about setting a fair precedent. He continued:
“If you want to make changes to your precedent, it should be a negotiation. It should be give and take. It shouldn’t just be, ‘Hey, we’re changing this and sign it or go scratch.’”
Those are strong words—and they’re not being taken lightly by NFL insiders, fans, or even other teams watching how the Bengals are handling their business.
Breaking the Mold—But At What Cost?
What makes this so intriguing is that the Bengals have a track record. Historically, they’ve honored rookie contracts with straightforward structures, especially when it comes to guaranteed money. So why the sudden change?
That’s what has many scratching their heads. Are the Bengals trying to usher in a new era of team-friendly contracts? Or are they just trying to flex a little leverage with a young player who hasn’t played a single NFL snap?
From Stewart’s camp, it looks like the Bengals are attempting a major departure from the norm—without offering any incentives to balance it out. No bonus sweeteners, no team-friendly opt-outs, no apparent trade-offs.
Things Get Personal—and Public
This isn’t just your typical behind-closed-doors negotiation, either. Stewart has made it clear he’s not happy. He skipped spring practices. He sat out of minicamp. And he even voiced his frustration publicly, calling out the team in interviews. That’s rare for a rookie—most are too busy trying to make a good impression.
But Stewart seems ready to stand his ground. And with Hiller in his corner, he’s clearly not afraid of playing hardball.
From the Bengals' side, the silence is deafening. The team hasn’t made many public comments—no surprise there—but their actions speak volumes. Their insistence on including this controversial language shows they’re willing to risk not having their first-rounder in uniform to prove a point.
What If He Were Drafted Elsewhere?
One of the juiciest what-ifs in this whole ordeal? If Stewart had been drafted by another team, this probably wouldn’t be an issue. Many other franchises already include specific language in rookie deals that the Bengals are only now trying to implement. Had he landed elsewhere, this clause might’ve just been business as usual.
And in that alternate universe, Stewart might’ve already signed, practiced, and built momentum heading into training camp. Instead, he’s sidelined—not by injury, but by a contract clause.
The Bigger Picture: Who Blinks First?
Let’s be real—this won’t drag on forever. Training camp is fast approaching, and both sides know they need to resolve this. The longer it lingers, the more disruptive it becomes for everyone involved. Stewart needs reps. The Bengals need their top rookie on the field. Fans want drama-free football.
So what happens next? Probably a little more posturing, maybe a few more spicy quotes from Stewart’s camp, and then—eventually—a compromise.
Because at the end of the day, no matter how much both sides dig in, someone’s going to blink.
Key Takeaways from the Stewart-Bengals Saga
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📝 Unusual rookie standoff: Stewart is the only first-rounder still unsigned. That’s rare.
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💼 Contract language is the issue: The Bengals want to add terms that would void guarantees in certain situations—a major change in precedent.
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📢 Public feud: Stewart and his agent are vocal. They’re not just holding out quietly—they’re calling the team out.
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❄️ Bengals playing it cold: The team isn’t talking much publicly but clearly wants to change how they do business.
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🏈 Stewart hasn’t participated in offseason work: No workouts, no minicamps, and plenty of frustration.
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🧩 Uncertain future: Will the Bengals cave and return to their traditional contract style? Or will Stewart have to accept the new terms?
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about a rookie contract anymore—it’s about control, precedent, and leverage. The Bengals are trying to modernize (or weaponize, depending on how you look at it) their contract structure, and Shemar Stewart just happens to be the guinea pig.
Whether that’s fair or not is a matter of opinion. But one thing’s for sure—the longer this drags on, the more it becomes a distraction. For now, both sides are playing hardball. But with the season creeping closer, someone has to take that first step. Because this isn’t just a financial battle—it’s a showdown over how business gets done in Cincinnati.
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