After a prolonged contract saga that stretched by means of the offseason and into coaching camp, Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart is lastly a full participant on the follow subject. The primary-round edge rusher signed his rookie deal Friday after lacking the staff’s first three practices and months of on-field work. He suited up for the primary time Sunday.
“I simply wanted to be on the sphere as quickly as attainable,” Stewart informed reporters after follow. “I want to start out studying, begin getting higher. It is a lengthy season forward. I have to be prepared.”
Stewart’s four-year deal is value $18.97 million and features a $10.4 million signing bonus, according to ESPN. The No. 17 total decide within the 2025 NFL draft was the final first-round choice to signal his rookie deal.
Bengals sign Shemar Stewart: First-round pick inks fully guaranteed rookie deal after lengthy holdout
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Whereas absent from staff actions, Stewart labored out at Texas A&M this summer season, staying in form and getting ready for his return. The delay could have stirred frustration, however Stewart downplayed any stress with the group as soon as the deal was completed.
“There was by no means me vs. anyone,” Stewart mentioned via WCPO. “We simply did not see eye to eye at [that] level. On the finish of the day, I am comfortable to be a Bengal. I am comfortable that I bought drafted right here. We’ve a protracted relationship forward of us. There isn’t any dangerous blood. It is simply how issues go typically.”
Requested if it was troublesome to separate the contract dispute from soccer mode, Stewart mentioned he moved on shortly as soon as the deal was finalized.
“S—, I forgot about it proper as they mentioned, ‘We’re prepared for you.’ I mentioned, ‘All is forgiven. See y’all tomorrow,'” Stewart mentioned.
Stewart entered the 2025 Draft considered some of the bodily gifted edge rushers within the class, drawing curiosity for his explosiveness and energy off the road. Although his stats at Texas A&M — 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks over three seasons — weren’t eye-popping, scouts have been excessive on his potential.
‘We’re not paying someone to sit in jail’: Bengals owner gives blunt reason for team’s Shemar Stewart stance
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He persistently disrupted opposing quarterbacks, tallying 65 pressures over the previous two seasons, tied for eighth within the SEC. At 21 years outdated, Stewart’s mix of dimension, athleticism and uncooked instruments offers the Bengals a promising developmental go rusher.
Stewart additionally defended his agent Zac Hiller amid hypothesis about exterior influences in the course of the contract dispute.
“For my part, I really feel like I need an agent that is extra of a pit bull,” Stewart mentioned. “I do not need no agent that is going to be simply pushed over. I need someone that is going to go to battle by me, so I haven’t got to do the laborious work behind the scenes.”
Reflecting on the saga, Stewart mentioned, “I attempt to reside my life with no regrets.”
Now, with the contract behind him and follow reps lastly underway, Stewart can shift his full focus to what comes subsequent — proving why Cincinnati made him a first-round decide.