Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart is finally joining the team after becoming the last first-round pick to sign his rookie deal. The former Texas A&M standout and the Bengals agreed to terms on a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $18.97 million.
Rookie holdout ends as Bengals, Stewart settle contract battle
The deal puts an end to a tense standoff that kept Stewart off the field for training camp’s opening week. He had skipped all offseason team activities, refusing to sign a participation waiver due to disagreements over certain contract language that could have voided his guaranteed money.
Contract standoff revolved around guarantee clauses
At the heart of the delay was a clause in Stewart’s contract that would have allowed the Bengals to strip guaranteed money if he violated team rules or league policies. Bengals president Mike Brown publicly explained the team’s position earlier in the week, stating that guaranteed contracts shouldn’t apply if a player ends up facing serious discipline.
“I don’t want to be in a position where we have to pay someone who ends up behind bars,” Brown said Monday.
Eventually, both sides found a compromise. Stewart agreed to the Bengals’ preferred contract language, while the team offered a more favorable payout structure than past picks in the same draft slot. With the deal in place, Stewart is expected to report to camp immediately.
Trey Hendrickson is now the only Bengals holdout
With Stewart’s contract finally done, the Bengals still face one unresolved issue: Trey Hendrickson. The Pro Bowl defensive end is holding out in hopes of landing a new deal. He’s entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn $16 million this season.
Cincinnati signed all five of its other draft picks ahead of the team’s first practice on Wednesday. Second-round linebacker Demetrius Knight finalized his contract last weekend.
Now with Stewart on board, the Bengals’ rookie class is finally complete, but questions remain about how long Hendrickson will stay away.
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