Bengals’ Shemar Stewart is the one 2025 first-round decide who stays unsigned

NFL insiders introduced that the Broncos’ rookie CB Jahdae Barron lately agreed to his rookie deal. He signed a four-year, $20 million contract with Denver. 

Now, 31 of 32 first-round picks from the 2025 draft class have signed with their respective crew. Solely Cincinnati’s Shemar Stewart has but to signal his rookie deal. It is because the Bengals are refusing to provide Stewart a completely assured $18.9 million. Nonetheless, their first-round picks in 2023 and 2024 bought totally assured offers. This curveball by the Bengals is why Shemar Stewart stays unsigned by the crew that drafted him.

When will the standoff between Shemar Stewart and the Bengals finish?

Broncos first-round CB Jahdae Barron agrees to rookie contract; Bengals’ Shemar Stewart solely remaining opening-round decide unsignedhttps://t.co/7hiRMjCNPO pic.twitter.com/X0DUe78qNx

— Round The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 16, 2025

With the seventeenth decide within the 2025 NFL draft, the Bengals chosen Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M. He performed three seasons for the Aggies earlier than being taken by Cincinnati. Three months after the 2025 NFL draft, Stewart is the one first-round decide who hasn’t signed their rookie deal. Regardless of no deal in place simply but, Stewart continues to be getting ready for the upcoming season. NFL insider Kelsey Conway reported that Stewart has been understanding on the Texas A&M amenities.

This isn’t one thing that ought to fear Bengals followers. There have been rumors that Stewart might attempt to return to the Aggies for his senior season. Likelihood is that doesn’t occur, and Stewart performs his rookie yr for the Bengals. The explanation why Stewart hasn’t signed is that Cincinnati won’t give him his rookie deal totally assured.

Shemar Stewart is barely 0.5 away from recording 5 complete school sacks. Why wouldn’t he wish to return and handle unfinished enterprise?

— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) July 15, 2025

In his negotiations with the crew, the Bengals added new language to his deal. They reportedly needed so as to add a “default clause” that may enable the crew to void any future ensures if Stewart bought in bother. That features suspensions for on-field actions and off-field points. Cincinnati didn’t use this language in its offers with its final two first-round picks. Why add this to Stewart’s deal?

Shemar Stewart is adamant that he’s “100% proper” within the case. He’s not asking for an outrageous deal or something the Bengals haven’t executed for a rookie previously. Surprisingly, it’s taken this lengthy, and Stewart has but to be signed. Bengals’ rookies report back to coaching camp this Saturday. Stewart reported to OTAs this offseason however didn’t take part in any on-field drills. Will the rookie present up this weekend able to work?