The Bengals have signed a four-year contract with their second-round draft pick, Demetrius Knight Jr.The Bengals confirmed the signing in an announcement on Saturday.Previously, NFL insider Jordan Schultz of the Bleacher Report was the first to report on the news before the team publicly announced the signing.”The Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing,” wrote Schultz on X on Saturday. “It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four. With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp today, the standout LB out of South Carolina is now officially under contract and ready to go.” Now, first-round pick Shemar Stewart remains as the lone contract holdout of this year’s draft class. Schultz says that the Bengals have so far made little progress in their contract negotiations with Stewart, even as he and the other rookies were expected to report to practice on Saturday.In June, Stewart had aired his frustration with the ongoing contract negotiations to an assembled crowd of reporters. In the conversation, Stewart compared his situation to that of star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has also been unable to agree to the terms of a new contract with the team.”In my case, I am 100 percent right, so it should be a no-brainer,” said Stewart. “In Trey’s case, I think it should be a no-brainer too.”Knight is a 24-year-old linebacker who played football for Georgia Tech, Charlotte, and South Carolina during his time in college. Meanwhile, Stewart is a 21-year-old defensive end who played for Texas A&M.The other draft picks by the Bengals this year were Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild, Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter, Miami offensive tackle Jalen Rivers, and Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks.The Bengals’ first preseason game is scheduled for August 7, while the team’s first regular season game will be September 7.

CINCINNATI —

The Bengals have signed a four-year contract with their second-round draft pick, Demetrius Knight Jr.

The Bengals confirmed the signing in an announcement on Saturday.

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Previously, NFL insider Jordan Schultz of the Bleacher Report was the first to report on the news before the team publicly announced the signing.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Per @Schultz_Report, the Bengals and Demetrius Knight have agreed to a deal.

The second-round pick is signing a four year deal with nearly 80% guaranteed — first time in NFL history the 49th pick has guarantees in year four.

Knight can now participate in training camp.@WLWT pic.twitter.com/sFEADSb58I

— Jaron May (@jaron_may) July 19, 2025

“The Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing,” wrote Schultz on X on Saturday. “It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four. With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp today, the standout LB out of South Carolina is now officially under contract and ready to go.”

Now, first-round pick Shemar Stewart remains as the lone contract holdout of this year’s draft class. Schultz says that the Bengals have so far made little progress in their contract negotiations with Stewart, even as he and the other rookies were expected to report to practice on Saturday.

In June, Stewart had aired his frustration with the ongoing contract negotiations to an assembled crowd of reporters. In the conversation, Stewart compared his situation to that of star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has also been unable to agree to the terms of a new contract with the team.

“In my case, I am 100 percent right, so it should be a no-brainer,” said Stewart. “In Trey’s case, I think it should be a no-brainer too.”

Knight is a 24-year-old linebacker who played football for Georgia Tech, Charlotte, and South Carolina during his time in college. Meanwhile, Stewart is a 21-year-old defensive end who played for Texas A&M.

The other draft picks by the Bengals this year were Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild, Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter, Miami offensive tackle Jalen Rivers, and Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks.

The Bengals’ first preseason game is scheduled for August 7, while the team’s first regular season game will be September 7.