Bengals blasted again for Shemar Stewart contract standoff before camp

Yahoo

4 hours ago

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to be hit from all sides over the Shemar Stewart contract situation.
What is a nuanced contract situation has onlookers picking sides to some degree, as a chunk of onlookers do wonder why Stewart hasn't at least practiced with his teammates before the whole leaving-minicamp-early thing.
Advertisement
But the Bengals haven't been able to escape their past reputation in the minds of many, with a new national example popping up recently.
While chatting with Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., ESPN's Field Yates hit the Bengals for the entire situation.
'This one is inexcusable… we are talking about minute details of a contract that is pages upon pages long. This was one of the rawest players taken in the entire first round. Those reps are valuable for all rookies.'
RELATED: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route
Brown said in that same conversation that the Stewart situation and the Trey Hendrickson contract drama aren't causing distractions for Bengals players (at least yet, anyway).
Advertisement
Even so, Yates' commentary on the lead-in to the conversation is another example of Cincinnati's earned reputation. The Bengals are within their rights to want to reset certain contract language in their deals from this point.
But Stewart is within his rights to say no thanks, while outsiders remain within their rights to point at the past history of the Bengals on these matters.
RELATED: Bengals standouts after mandatory minicamp includes surprises
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals blasted again for Shemar Stewart contract standoff before camp