While the absence of star defensive end Trey Hendrickson drew most of the attention at the Cincinnati Bengals’ mandatory minicamp session on Tuesday, another defensive player made headlines with his comments after practice.Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, the Bengals’ first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, expressed his frustration with negotiations between his camp and the organization over his rookie contract.Stewart is one of just a few first round picks who haven’t signed their rookie contracts yet and the Texas A&M product has not participated in any on-field drills while negotiations play out.”I can’t say what I really want to say,” Stewart said. “It is ‘their’ contract. They can do what they want with it.”Stewart confirmed that he will not take part in on-field drills until he signs his rookie deal. Stewart said he has communicated “here and there” with Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.“It’s very important,” Stewart said about being on the field while the Bengals prepare for the upcoming season. “You got to get your body somewhat prepared to play football, especially me coming from college to the NFL, even though I played in the SEC, which is very physical.”Stewart had 1.5 sacks and two passes defended last season for Texas A&M. The Florida native also had 31 total tackles.At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, Stewart’s measurables and physicality were among the best in the class at his position, even though the production wasn’t on the same level as some of his draft counterparts.The rookie also chimed in on Hendrickson’s contract status as the Bengals’ Pro Bowl edge rusher seeks a new deal.“We’ll all agree Trey would be right, right? But technically, he is still one percent wrong, for being under contract,” Stewart said. “In my case, I am 100 percent right, so it should be a no-brainer. In Trey’s case, I think it should be a no-brainer too.”The Bengals will continue mandatory minicamp through Thursday.

CINCINNATI —

While the absence of star defensive end Trey Hendrickson drew most of the attention at the Cincinnati Bengals’ mandatory minicamp session on Tuesday, another defensive player made headlines with his comments after practice.

Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, the Bengals’ first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, expressed his frustration with negotiations between his camp and the organization over his rookie contract.

Stewart is one of just a few first round picks who haven’t signed their rookie contracts yet and the Texas A&M product has not participated in any on-field drills while negotiations play out.

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A noticeably frustrated Shemar Stewart addresses his rookie contract squabble with the Bengals:

“I can’t say what I really want to say. It is ‘their’ contract. They can do what they want with it.” pic.twitter.com/XnIU97H2Sl

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) June 10, 2025

“I can’t say what I really want to say,” Stewart said. “It is ‘their’ contract. They can do what they want with it.”

Stewart confirmed that he will not take part in on-field drills until he signs his rookie deal. Stewart said he has communicated “here and there” with Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.

“It’s very important,” Stewart said about being on the field while the Bengals prepare for the upcoming season. “You got to get your body somewhat prepared to play football, especially me coming from college to the NFL, even though I played in the SEC, which is very physical.”

Stewart had 1.5 sacks and two passes defended last season for Texas A&M. The Florida native also had 31 total tackles.

At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, Stewart’s measurables and physicality were among the best in the class at his position, even though the production wasn’t on the same level as some of his draft counterparts.

The rookie also chimed in on Hendrickson’s contract status as the Bengals’ Pro Bowl edge rusher seeks a new deal.

“We’ll all agree Trey would be right, right? But technically, he is still one percent wrong, for being under contract,” Stewart said. “In my case, I am 100 percent right, so it should be a no-brainer. In Trey’s case, I think it should be a no-brainer too.”

The Bengals will continue mandatory minicamp through Thursday.