Bengals First-Round Pick Shemar Stewart Holding Out of Practice Until Rookie Deal is Signed

The Cincinnati Bengals may have landed one of the most physically gifted defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they’ll have to wait a little longer to see him on the field.

Shemar Stewart, the former five-star edge rusher from Texas A&M and the Bengals’ 17th overall pick, has yet to sign his rookie contract — and according to Stewart himself, he has no plans to take the field until a deal is done.

“I just decided not to sign those papers,” Stewart told reporters during rookie minicamp. “I hate being on the sidelines looking at everybody else do work.”

#Bengals 1st-round pick DE Shemar Stewart isn’t participating in any on-field work until his contract is finalized — even with the standard injury waivers for rookies.

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— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 9, 2025

Stewart’s decision to withhold participation in team activities is not unprecedented among first-round picks, especially those seeking specific contract structures, guarantees, or bonuses. But it’s also not ideal. While all NFL rookie contracts for first-rounders are slotted and predetermined under the current collective bargaining agreement, there’s still room for negotiation on elements like signing bonus payout schedules and contract offsets — two sticking points that often lead to brief holdouts.

Still, the optics aren’t great for Stewart.

While he sat out of Bengals rookie minicamp, other top defensive linemen from his class — including Carolina Panthers second-round pick Nic Scourton — have already signed their contracts and begun working with their teams. Even Shemar Turner, another second-rounder taken by the Chicago Bears, has yet to sign, but his absence hasn’t attracted as much scrutiny due to his draft position.

In Stewart’s case, the expectations are simply higher. The Bengals made a significant investment in him, projecting the 6’5″, 270-pound pass rusher as a future Pro Bowler and cornerstone of their defensive front. But the first step toward that future begins with signing on the dotted line and proving himself at the next level — something no amount of pre-draft hype or college pedigree can guarantee.

For a player who was once the crown jewel of a loaded Texas A&M recruiting class, this moment was supposed to be a dream come true. But now, it threatens to turn into an early distraction.

The Bengals are staying quiet for now, but the longer this holdout stretches, the more pressure will build — not only on Stewart to perform once he finally joins the team but also on Cincinnati’s front office to navigate contract expectations while keeping the locker room focused.

One thing is clear: Shemar Stewart believes in his value. Now it’s time to make sure his NFL career gets started on the right foot — before this holdout overshadows the promise he was drafted for.