Shemar Stewart sends an exclamation point on the final day of Bengals mandatory minicamp as contract standoff continues
Shemar Stewart's standoff with the Cincinnati Bengals has been taken to the next level. . .kind of. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stewart has left mandatory minicamp before the final day of practice. Stewart has been present for all team activities since being drafted 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He's taken part in team […]
Shemar Stewart's standoff with the Cincinnati Bengals has been taken to the next level. . .kind of.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stewart has left mandatory minicamp before the final day of practice.
Stewart has been present for all team activities since being drafted 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He's taken part in team meetings, been in the locker room with his new teammates, and has suited up to watch practices up close and personal.
Mandatory minicamp only lasts three days and Stewart was present for two of them. Per this report, he will not be there for day three.
Stewart made it clear where he stands earlier this week. He's yet to sign his rookie contract over default language Cincinnati wants in his deal. The language differs compared to deals past first-round picks such as Myles Murphy and Amarius Mims agreed to in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
"I'm 100 percent right," Stewart said Tuesday. "I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before. But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."
Refraining from practicing has been Stewart's way of utilizing his leverage, but at least he's been around the team doing everything aside from putting his body at risk. Being away from the team entirely is the only other action he can take to get the front office to move off their stance.
In reality, being away from one minicamp session is far from the end of the world. Once the team concludes its practice, summer break begins and there are no official team activities until training camp begins in late July. He's not under contract so he's not subjected to fines for skipping out entirely. For all anyone knows, he left for reasons not to do with his contract drama.
On the other hand, this could be a sign of what's to come next month.
Shemar Stewart sets up possibility of missing training camp
If Stewart chose to leave before the end of minicamp, it's now plausible he misses the start of training camp. The first practice open to the public is July 23, but rookies have to report to the facility before most of the roster days prior.
The Bengals were at least benefitted from teaching Stewart his new scheme and getting him acclimated in meetings. They won't have that luxury if he's away from it all entirely next month.
There's not much more Stewart can do to make his point. He's yet to be paid as a draftee and the club can hold that over his head, but he can't play without putting pen-to-paper. This is him upping the ante, or simply leaving minicamp with an emphasis.
Shemar Stewart reveals he has meaningful support behind his rookie contract plight against Bengals
Stewart is not alone inside the Bengals’ locker room.
