by: Nick Schultz • 1 hour ago • NickSchultz_7
After a lengthy holdout, Shemar Stewart and the Cincinnati Bengals came to terms on a rookie contract. He is set to sign a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million contract along with a $10.4 million signing bonus, his agents at LAA told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Stewart held out of the Bengals’ offseason program after the franchise selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft . He reportedly left mandatory minicamp as a result of the situation, which centered around clauses for which Cincinnati is asking in the rookie contract.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Bengals got the language they wanted in the deal while Stewart received more money from his signing bonus on an earlier date. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added Cincinnati moved $500,000 of his bonus and paid it up front, rather than in December.
The Bengals reported to training camp this week, though the former Texas A&M star didn’t participate while he negotiated a deal. Now, the stage is set for him to take the field.
The Bengals drafted Stewart with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft following a standout career at Texas A&M. He totaled 65 tackles over his three-year career, including 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as two fumble recoveries. As a junior in 2024, Stewart had 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.