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Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route
Ultimately, the Cincinnati Bengals and first-round pick Shemar Stewart are likely to resolve the contract standoff at some point this summer.
But what if things go the super-rare route?
There are, believe it or not, clauses written into the CBA that deal with rookies who never sign with the team that drafted them, or who want off the team that drafted them.
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Stewart, as pointed out by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and others, has roughly three options:
Stewart doesn't sign and demands a trade. Teams can trade unsigned draft picks until up to 30 days before the first game of the season.
Stewart signs the Tuesday after Week 10 and his case goes to arbitration to decide about his playing status.
Stewart refuses to sign at all and re-enters the 2026 NFL draft, where he could be selected by any team but the Bengals.
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That third and final point is the nuclear option most fans and media seem to bring up the most. The Bengals wouldn't get compensated in that scenario at all. But it's nearly impossible Stewart would give up his massive rookie contract this year, sit out of football for a year, then potentially go undrafted in 2026 after teams likely stay away from him.
For now, both sides play the staring contest. The Bengals want to insert new language into their contracts that better aligns with the rest of the NFL and have started it with Stewart. He doesn't want to be treated differently than past Bengals rookies. Hence, a standoff.
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Again, Stewart will sign with the Bengals and play in 2025. But the above are the other options, including the nuclear one that drags this out until 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route
