The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick, but the player has yet to practice while being unhappy with the contract offered to him

Shemar Stewart has not reported to the Bengals for training camp(Image: Getty Images)Shemar Stewart has not reported to the Cincinnati Bengals for training camp and is now officially holding out, while being unhappy with his rookie contract offer on the table.

The Bengals drafted Stewart with the 17th overall pick, who also picked up an injury prior to joining the team. Cincinnati passed up on several impressive pass-rushers to take a risk on the Texas A&M defensive end, who was universally seen as a player who needs time to develop after having just four sacks during his college career.

When players are drafted in the NFL, they are locked into a certain number of their contract, with the player having the opportunity to negotiate the language of the deal.

For example, they can ask for more money up front, a certain amount being guaranteed, and to protect against injuries.

However, the Bengals are said to have taken away certain guarantees from their rookie contracts given out this season, with Stewart not asking for more money, but instead what his party deems to be a fair deal.

Stewart has refused to accept Cincinnati’s new rookie deal, with him not practicing at rookie minicamp, nor during OTAs (organized team activities) throughout May and June.

Now, the Bengals face Stewart not reporting at all, potentially having the opportunity to re-enter the draft next season if he remains unsigned throughout the year.

Stewart was selected during the first round

While that’s unlikely to happen, Stewart has already missed a considerable amount of practice time, with the raw defensive end not being able to work on his craft with NFL coaches at this point.

He is currently training with his college team, Texas A&M, working with their coaches while hoping the contractual issues are resolved.

But with neither party budging over the past three months, many in Cincinnati will be nervous about Stewart’s future.

The pick was one that some criticized at the time, with the Bengals being perennial Super Bowl contenders with Joe Burrow at quarterback.

They needed somewhat of a sure thing with their draft picks, rather than development players.

Cincinnati’s defense struggled throughout the 2024 season and was the reason that the team missed out on the playoffs.

The Bengals needed to add defensive talent in the offseason, and chose to select Stewart over the likes of Derick Harmon, James Pearce Jr., Jihaad Campbell, and Donovan Ezeiruaku.

All of those players were more productive than Stewart in college.