The Cincinnati Bengals are up to their usual antics as the team’s first round draft pick, Shemar Stewart, is refusing to sign the team’s new contract. The contract changes the way guarantees are paid to future rookies, starting with Stewart. Stewart is adamant that he will not sign this abnormal legislature, and I believe we would all be wise to take him at his word.
On PFT Live, Mike Florio had a lengthy conversation with his cohost Chris Simms about the current status in Cincy. Both parties are in full throated agreement that this is a really really bad look for the Bengals.
“I don’t think they’re going to blink. I think Mike Browns attitude is ‘Fine, I’ll keep your money. Stay home. I don’t care’,” Florio says.
“It’s becoming increasingly hard to root for the Bengals,” Simms chimed in. “The organization just can’t get out of their own way at times. It’s annoying.”
After much deliberation, Florio says that he doesn’t trust the ‘rigged’ collective bargaining agreement to deliver in the best interest of the player. For that reason, he believes Stewart would be wise to pursuit the option of returning to college for another year.
“That’s (going back to college) I think a more realistic option than any of levers under the CBA,” Florio said. “Just go back and play another year in college, get your NIL money. At least explore it.”
He finished by saying it might take a law suit, but that ‘none of these rules matter anymore’ in college football.
All of Shemar Stewart’s Options
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio laid out every option the 21-year-old rookie has.
“To summarize, Stewart can be traded until August 5,” Florio writes. “He can refuse to sign with the Bengals until the Tuesday after Week 10 and still play in 2025. Or he can sit out all of 2025 (and not return to college or play in another pro league) and re-enter the draft in 2026 for selection by any team but the Bengals.”
Stewart is one of three rookies that remains unsigned at this point. The other two are the Jaguars’ second overall pick, Travis Hunter, and the Broncos’ Jahdae Barron, who was picked three spots after Stewart. However, Florio has little to no faith that the Bengals front office will get the deal done.
“For most other teams, it’s highly unlikely that any of those extreme scenarios would occur,” Florio concluded. “For the Bengals, who have a history of arguably ill-advised stubbornness, it’s important to keep these potential outcomes on the radar screen.”
Most Likely Scenario for Shemar Stewart
I appreciate the digging Mike Florio did, however, I disagree with the conclusion. I have a hard time believing that the Bengals front office will not succumb to their first round selections demands. Nothing of the sort has ever happened in notable NFL history.
There have been rookies who have said that they will not play for a certain team, and sit out for that reason. Most notably Bo Jackson. However, none that have said I will happily play for the team that drafted me, but not under these conditions.
It’s never a sign of weakness to err on the side of your players. Coming out in unwavering defense of your first round selection is a great look on all accounts. It makes your players want to play for you. It sends a message to players around the league that this is a front office that wants to take care of you. And finally, it saves face on a national smear job.
I believe the most likely scenario is that the Bengals give in to the extremely talented edge rusher, and, if I may, I think in return Stewart delivers an eight sack season.
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