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Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart Faces Contract Standoff

5/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Cincinnati Bengals and rookie Shemar Stewart, 21, are locked in a contract standoff. Although Stewart showed up for OTA practice, he couldn't join in due to his unsigned status. The crux of the disagreement lies in contract language that could lead to defaults, diverging from previous deals made with Bengals first-round picks.

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Story summary

The Cincinnati Bengals and rookie Shemar Stewart, 21, are locked in a contract standoff. Although Stewart showed up for OTA practice, he couldn't join in due to his unsigned status. The crux of the disagreement lies in contract language that could lead to defaults, diverging from previous deals made with Bengals first-round picks.