2 days ago
Former Texas A&M EDGE reportedly leaves minicamp following contract dispute with Bengals
Former Texas A&M EDGE reportedly leaves minicamp following contract dispute with Bengals
The drama between former Texas A&M EDGE and the Cincinnati Bengals has escalated on Thursday morning, as the rookie has reportedly left mandatory minicamp.
Since being drafted by the Bengals with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the relationship between former Aggie Shemar Stewart and the AFC North franchise has been anything but pleasant. The ongoing contract conflicts have prevented Stewart from participating, despite his attendance at team activities without a signed contract.
According to reports from NFL Draft and college football analyst Jordan Reid, if negotiations continue to trend downward, Stewart could opt not to play in 2025 and find a new team in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With Stewart officially leaving minicamp, the rift between the Miami, Florida, native and the Bengals continues to grow larger.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Stewart expressed his frustrations toward the franchise's constant pursuit of setting a new precedent with rookie contracts moving forward.
"I'm 100 percent right. I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before," Stewart said. "But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games. I can't say what I really want to say, but it's their contract. They can do what they want with it."
Some would interpret Stewart's comments as harsh for a rookie entering his first year dealing with a professional football franchise in this matter. However, he is a game-changer when he steps on the field and could rejuvenate a defensive unit that ranked 25th overall last season.
His ability to contribute heavily to a defense was proven during his time at Texas A&M, where Stewart made the All-SEC team twice and recorded 65 total tackles (30 solo tackles), 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Beyond his statistics, the 6-foot-6, 290-pounder brings an athleticism that is unmatched by most defensive players in this year's draft class. Stewart completed the NFL Combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds, with a 40" vertical and a 10'11" broad jump.
Most media members and fans of the Cincinnati Bengals believed that Stewart would make an immediate impact on the gridiron, given his athletic abilities, which were showcased against SEC competition during his three years with the Aggies.
For now, it appears that the franchise will remain committed to setting a new precedent for rookies. This would allow front offices to avoid putting guaranteed money into rookie contracts, in case the relationship deteriorated and eventually fell apart due to injury, a clash of personalities, or other potential conflicts deemed detrimental to the franchise.
This is the main conflict between the Bengals' rookie and the organization, with Stewart fearing that he will lose out on money in his contract due to any potential injuries or mishaps in minicamp, should Cincinnati decide to move on or renegotiate the terms under this new umbrella.
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