The Bengals can’t seem to get it right with pass-rushers.
First-round draft pick Shemar Stewart is in attendance for the team’s mandatory minicamp, but he will be watching from the sidelines as his contract negotiations are seemingly turning ugly while the team deals with its ongoing dispute with the NFL’s reigning sack leader Trey Hendrickson.
According to multiple reports, Stewart is seeking a contract similar to that of recent Cincinnati first-round selections Amarius Mims and Myles Murphy, with the team now seeking to void future guarantees on rookie deals.
“I’m 100 percent right. I’m not asking for nothing y’all have never done before,” Stewart told reporters on Tuesday, addressing the Bengals. “But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments [more] than winning more games.
The No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Stewart is one of five first-rounders yet to sign their rookie deals.
“I’ve been doing this for most of my whole life, and then all of a sudden it’s gone over something very simple to fix,” Stewart told reporters. “It’s kind of disappointing.”
While he’s not on the field with his Bengals teammates, Stewart said he’s keeping up with them everywhere else.
“I still go to meetings. I still study my playbook,” he said. “Taking down the right notes, and then whenever I get some free time, I go out to train.”
Cincinnati brass now has an additional fire to put out as it continues to deal with Hendrickson’s trade request.
The Pro Bowler, 30, did not report to minicamp this week, and is looking to move to another team before the start of the 2025 season if a new contract is not worked out.
Hendrickson, who racked up 17.5 sacks last season, is seeking a raise from his $15.8 million base salary and a long-term deal.
It seems like quarterbacks might be able to stay extra clean when they face the Bengals at this point in time.
