Bengals' Shemar Stewart does not sound happy with contract negotiation: 'I can't say what I really want to say'
Trey Hendrickson not showing up to mandatory minicamp might be getting more headlines, but don't forget the Cincinnati Bengals' other notable pass rusher who isn't practicing over a contract dispute.
First-round pick Shemar Stewart is in attendance for mandatory minicamp but isn't practicing with the team. According to Cincinnati Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway, Stewart is requesting that his contract language mirror the last two Bengals' first-round picks, Amarius Mims and Myles Murphy, both of whom were taken later than Stewart (who was pick No. 17).
Stewart is one of five first-round picks who haven't signed their rookie contracts yet, along with the Jaguars' Travis Hunter (No. 2 overall), the Broncos' Jahdae Barron (No. 20), the Bills' Maxwell Hairston (No. 30) and the Eagles' Jihaad Campbell (No. 31).
However, none of them appear as contentious as the Bengals and Stewart.
"I'm 100 percent right. I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before. But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games," Stewart said, per Sports Illustrated's Jay Morrison.
Stewart expressed further disbelief Tuesday.
"I've been doing this for most of my whole life, and then all of a sudden it's gone over something very simple to fix," Stewart said, courtesy of Conway. "It's kind of disapponting."
Have the Bengals told Stewart why they're choosing him to set a new precedent?
"I can't say what I really want to say," Stewart said, "but it's their contract. They can do what they want with it."
I thought I would be on the field by now." #Bengals first round pick Shemar Stewart on his contract situation pic.twitter.com/AxQpbh5cl0
- Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) June 10, 2025
Stewart didn't post big numbers at Texas A&M, but NFL teams reportedly loved his traits and upside. The Bengals ended up being the team that bet on them at No. 17 overall.
Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5, which was 3.5 more than second-place Myles Garrett. He's been seeking a contract extension or a trade for awhile now, and didn't report to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. He's also reportedly "dug in" on missing games this season if that's what it takes to get something done.
The Bengals signed wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to big extensions earlier this offseason. But the franchise is notorious for complicating contract matters, and that doesn't appear to be changing with a defense that struggled in 2024 and needs as much talent as it can get.