Shemar Stewart, Bengals agree to terms on fully guaranteed rookie contract to end holdout

After a lengthy holdout, Shemar Stewart and the Cincinnati Bengals came to terms on a rookie contract. He is set to sign a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million contract along with a $10.4 million signing bonus, his agents at LAA told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Stewart held out of the Bengals’ offseason program after the franchise selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He reportedly left mandatory minicamp as a result of the situation, which centered around clauses for which Cincinnati is asking in the rookie contract.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Bengals got the language they wanted in the deal while Stewart received more money from his signing bonus on an earlier date. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added Cincinnati moved $500,000 of his bonus and paid it up front, rather than in December.

The Bengals reported to training camp this week, though the former Texas A&M star didn’t participate while he negotiated a deal. Now, the stage is set for him to take the field.

The Bengals drafted Stewart with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft following a standout career at Texas A&M. He totaled 65 tackles over his three-year career, including 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as two fumble recoveries. As a junior in 2024, Stewart had 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Shemar Stewart return to Texas A&M was ‘not an option’

As Shemar Stewart’s situation unfolded, a report from CBS Sports indicated Stewart was working out at Texas A&M could consider attempting a return to the program in 2025 despite foregoing his remaining eligibility. NCAA and NFL rules, however, explicitly state he cannot come back because he declared for the draft.

Speaking at SEC Media Days last week, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said that was not an option. While he confirmed Stewart was back in College Station working out, a return to the program wasn’t on the table.

“Zero chance that that was ever considered,” Elko said. “It’s a great lesson for all of those about facts that can be created by social media. Shemar has been in College Station training, like a lot of NFL players do in their offseason. I think he actually just left yesterday to go back up to Cincinnati. We’re excited to see what he does for the Bengals this year.”