Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart remains unsigned by the team and isn’t practicing with the team during the voluntary workout program due to a continued dispute over the language in his contract, a source told The Enquirer. 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, according to a source.

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First-round picks are given a four-year contract, with a preset salary and a signing bonus based on draft position.

The workout program is voluntary, so every NFL player has the right to not participate. Not having Stewart under contract and practicing right now is a disadvantage for the Bengals and the player. The Bengals are counting on Stewart to be a key contributor right away and missing practice will slow his development.

Neither the Bengals nor Stewart benefit the first-round pick standing on the sidelines watching new defensive coordinator Al Golden install his defense. Stewart is still participating in meetings, though. He’s doing everything but practicing.

Cincinnati is trying to avoid another slow start in the month of September and the Bengals not having Trey Hendrickson or Stewart practicing right now doesn’t help the issue. While both players are still working out, there is nothing that substitutes practice.

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When the Enquirer reached out to the Bengals about this situation on May 12, the team issued the following statement.

“We expect that as other first-round draft picks get signed, this will get resolved.”

Since then, the Seattle Seahawks went on to sign the No. 18 overall pick Grey Zabel to his rookie contract.

The Bengals are in the final week of phase two of the offseason program. Cincinnati will start phase three next week and can begin the organized team activities (OTAs).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Shemar Stewart contract dispute with Bengals continues