Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for the Cincinnati Bengals, something like this happens. Rookie first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart elected not to participate in OTAs and still has not put pen to paper on his rookie deal. Now, this Pittsburgh Steelers rival just took the drama to a whole new level.
On Thursday morning, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that Stewart has left the Bengals' mandatory minicamp. Stewart had been attending team activities, but without a contract signed, he's out the door.
What on earth just happened?
I can't recall the last time we've seen a first-round pick simply up and walk away from his team during offseason activities. Stewart, the 17th overall selection, was considered one of the rawest players in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he could use all the reps he could get in preparation for his rookie season. This makes his decision to step away from the team all the more painful.
But once you hear why this is happening, it's hard to put this on the rookie. This is a complete nightmare the Bengals caused themselves.
The Cincinnati Bengals caused the Shemar Stewart fiasco (and Pittsburgh Steelers fans can't help but laugh)
As Pittsburgh Steelers fans, it's comical to watch an AFC North rival hit the self-destruct button for no apparent reason at all. But that's what Cincinnati's front office is doing. The Bengals are known to be a cheap organization, and their attempt to cut corners just blew up in their face when their first-round pick walked out the door.
According to Cincinnati.com, Stewart is requesting a contract that mirrors the last two Bengals first-round picks, both of which came after pick 17 (Armarius Mims at pick 18 in 2024 and Myles Murphey at pick 28 in 2023). A source told The Enquirer the Bengals are trying to set a new precedent with rookie contracts, which allows the team to void future guarantees.
Here's the problem: when every other first-round pick in the NFL just signed a fully guaranteed rookie contract, you have no leverage. So why even attempt something like this?
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The market is the market. The Bengals can't change that, no matter how badly they'd like to save a buck. By trying to slide in contract language that would void guaranteed money, they've already tarnished the relationship between the organization and their top 2025 draft pick. This was a terrible PR move.
The Shemar Stewart drama runs in stride with the sticky situation the Bengals have created with their best defensive player, Trey Hendrick. After recording 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons and earning First-Team All-Pro honors this year, Cincinnati's front office is refusing to pay the market value Hendrickson is asking for.
There's a reason why the Cincinnati Bengals have been a dumpster fire franchise for most of their history, and it stems from cheap ownership. Pittsburgh Steelers fans can't help but laugh at the nightmare their AFC North rival brought upon themselves.