After a holdout that lasted several weeks, rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart is finally signed and practicing with the Cincinnati Bengals. But in one of his first practices with the team, Stewart committed one of football’s cardinal sins.

The Texas A&M product drew the ire of his teammates and coaches on Wednesday when he knocked down superstar quarterback Joe Burrow during team drills, sparking a fight.

🎥Video breakdown: The play that sparked the fight at Bengals training camp today:

– Shemar Stewart shoots the (wide open) A-gap, but stumbles, and may have been shoved

**Camera follows ball, but Joe Burrow ends up on the ground**

Notice: Demetrius Knight, Jr. putting his… https://t.co/SEjcLltxmi pic.twitter.com/3ujSiOdn2d

— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) August 13, 2025

Stewart didn’t hit Burrow hard. In fact, he barely grazed him. But at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, it doesn’t take much, and the number one rule of practice is that you do not, under any circumstances, hit the superstar quarterback.

Bengals Teammates Were Not Happy With Shemar Stewart Over Hit On Joe Burrow

After the practice ended, multiple Bengals players spoke with members of the media about the incident. And they were quick to note that it was Stewart who was in the wrong.

“It doesn’t matter. The result is the result,” center Ted Karras said when asked about Stewart not intending to hit Burrow “C’mon, man. That’s our hopes and dreams right there.

“But it happened, we had to respond, and we’ve got to go into this meeting and get better.”

Meanwhile, right guard Lucas Patrick took some of the blame after missing a block on Stewart and redirecting him toward Burrow.

“We’ve gotta protect 9,” Patrick said. “It starts with me up front. I’ve got to play better, protect better. Can’t let 9 get hit.”

Ultimately, things will probably blow over. But after such a big deal was made about Stewart’s rookie contract, this only adds to the list of things that won’t help him endear himself to his veteran teammates.