**Shemar Stewart Signs Rookie Deal with Cincinnati Bengals After Standoff**
**Meta Description:** Shemar Stewart has officially signed his rookie contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending a months-long negotiation standoff.
**URL Slug:** shemar-stewart-bengals-rookie-deal
**Shemar Stewart Signs Rookie Deal with Cincinnati Bengals After Standoff**
The Cincinnati Bengals have officially concluded their contract negotiations with first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart, as the defensive end from Texas A&M signed his rookie deal on Saturday. This agreement comes after a prolonged standoff that included a series of public statements and disagreements regarding contract terms.
Stewart was selected as the 17th overall pick in the April draft, and while initial discussions seemed promising, complications arose when the Bengals sought to modify their approach to rookie contracts. The team aimed to implement changes that would allow them to void future guarantees, which Stewart opposed. In June, he expressed his confidence in his position, stating, “I’m 100% right. I’m not asking for nothing y’all (the Bengals) have never done before. But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games.”
Despite attending meetings during minicamp, Stewart did not participate in on-field activities and failed to report to training camp earlier this week, which drew criticism from Bengals executive Duke Tobin. Tobin remarked, “I think Shemar needs to be here… I don’t understand or believe or agree with the advice, but I’m not the one paying for it.”
After the back-and-forth negotiations, Stewart’s contract is valued at $18.97 million, fully guaranteed, including a $10 million signing bonus. He is now the last first-round pick from the 2025 draft class to finalize a deal.
The Bengals, who missed the playoffs last season due in part to defensive struggles, are now looking to bolster their roster. The focus may soon shift to veteran defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last year but is also seeking a new contract.
As the Bengals prepare for the upcoming season, the resolution of Stewart’s contract is a positive step forward for the team and its defensive lineup.
**FAQ**
**What was the reason for the contract standoff between Shemar Stewart and the Bengals?**
The standoff was primarily due to the Bengals’ attempt to restructure rookie contracts, which would allow them to void future guarantees. Stewart opposed these changes, leading to a prolonged negotiation process.