Bengals end dispute, agree to rookie deal with Stewart

The Cincinnati Bengals and first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart have agreed to terms on a guaranteed four-year rookie contract, his agency told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Stewart, who was the final unsigned 2025 first-round pick, was involved in a public dispute with the Bengals over reported language in his contract relating to voiding guaranteed money due to potential conduct detrimental to the team, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. That language is apparently not featured in the contracts of Cincinnati's previous first-round picks.

The Bengals kept that language in Stewart's deal, though the pass-rusher will receive more money from his signing bonus earlier, sources told NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Stewart's fully guaranteed first-round deal is worth $18.97 million and has a $10.4 million signing bonus, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The feud between the two sides played out in the public sphere: Stewart left minicamp in June and did not report to training camp, saying that the team wanted to win arguments more than games. Meanwhile, Bengals owner Mike Brown said Monday that it was "a form of foolishness" that Stewart was still unsigned and not at camp, per Baby.

Reaching an agreement with the 17th overall pick means the Bengals have taken care of half of their contract disputes. The 2024 NFL sack leader, Trey Hendrickson, is also absent from camp as he seeks a new contract.