2<\/p>\n Shemar Stewart is holding out from signing his rookie contractCredit: AP 2<\/p>\n Stewart was a top defensive prospect in the NFL DraftCredit: AP<\/p>\n Stewart is one of just four first-round rookies that have yet to sign their rookie deals.<\/p>\n His issue isn’t about the money though, it’s the clauses that the team is including in his deal.<\/p>\n Previous contracts included a clause that if a player got into any sort of trouble, their contract guarantees would be void.<\/p>\n Stewart’s contract included a change to that clause, meaning all of his guarantees for all four years would be void.<\/p>\n This is a completely new concept, and Stewart and his agent won’t accept being the guinea pigs.<\/p>\n “In my case, I’m 100 percent right,” Stewart said before leaving training camp this week. <\/p>\n “I’m not asking for nothing that’s never been done before. <\/p>\n “But in [the team’s] case, y’all just want to win an argument instead of winning more games, in my opinion.”<\/p>\n Stewart has yet to play a single snap for the Bengals, but already has a fractured relationship with the team.<\/p>\n If that relationship is irreparable, how do both sides move forward.<\/p>\n Lamar Jackson suffers major $750,000 blow after Baltimore Ravens make workout decision <\/p>\n Well, there is actually a rule buried in the NFLPA’s agreement with the NFL<\/a> that could give Stewart a second chance at the draft.<\/p>\n If he holds out on his contract and doesn’t sign by the time the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> rolls around, he can re-enter and be drafted by a new team.<\/p>\n However, that does mean he wasted an entire year of his career.<\/p>\n There are some other options that Stewart can try though if he doesn’t sign the contract.<\/p>\n First, he can request a trade out of Cincinnati to a team that is willing to give him a normal contract.<\/p>\n He could also go back to college, but it would likely require a legal battle.<\/p>\n He would also be considered a Bengals 2026 draft pick after that year in college, so it wouldn’t change anything.<\/p>\n![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cincinnati-bengals-unsigned-draft-pick-994405503.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Shemar](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/texas-m-defensive-lineman-shemar-989610465.jpg\")
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