Report: Shemar Stewart Still Sidelined Due To Contract Dispute Entering Latest Voluntary Workout Week

The Bengals don't have either of their possible starting defensive ends.

Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick Shemar Stewart and his dad Moe Marquez show off custom jewelry they had made for each other in the Bengals locker room at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, April 25, 2025. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Shemar Stewart reportedly isn't practicing with the Bengals during their voluntary workout program until a contract is agreed to. The Enquirer's Kelsey Conway wrote on Monday that Stewart won't practice until he signs and wants his contract to mirror that of the past two Bengals' first-round picks: Amarius Mims and Myles Murphy.

Stewart has yet to suit up with the team as he misses valuable on-field reps. Rookie contracts are preset, but there is certain language that can be negotiated. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on the situation earlier this month.

"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bengals tried to get Stewart signed," Florio wrote. "As we understand it, the talks bogged down regarding the percentage of compensation in future years to be paid as a training-camp roster bonus. The training-camp roster bonus has become a device for putting a sizable chunk of the player’s pay in his pockets in future years, early in the season. In this case, the numbers offered by the Bengals reflected a lower percentage than the 17th overall pick received in 2024."

Stewart is still attending meetings, but not practicing as Cincinnati goes without its potentially two starting defensive ends: Stewart and Trey Hendrickson.

Read Conway's full report here.

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