Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart won’t participate in the first day of mandatory minicamp as he remains unsigned by the team, a source tells The Enquirer. Stewart has yet to practice since the team drafted him on April 24 with the No. 17 overall pick.
The Bengals’ first-round pick will be present for practice but is not participating. This is due to a continued dispute over the language in his contract. A source told The Enquirer the Bengals are trying to set a new precedent with rookie contracts that allows the team to void future guarantees. He won’t practice with the Bengals until his contract situation gets resolved.
Stewart is requesting that his contract language mirror the last two Bengals’ first-round picks, both of which were selections after pick No. 17. Right tackle Amarius Mims (2024) was selected with the No. 18 overall pick and defensive end Myles Murphy (2023) was taken at pick No. 28.
First-round picks are given a four-year contract, with a preset salary and a signing bonus based on draft position.
The Bengals won’t have Trey Hendrickson or Stewart practicing as two of Cincinnati’s defensive ends remain unhappy with their contract status.