{"id":38049,"date":"2025-05-10T03:28:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T03:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/38049\/"},"modified":"2025-05-10T03:28:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T03:28:15","slug":"i-just-decided-not-to-sign-those-papers-shemar-stewart-has-not-signed-his-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/38049\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I just decided not to sign those papers’ Shemar Stewart has not signed his contract"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Texas A&M<\/a> edge rusher Shemar Stewart<\/a> was selected 17th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> during the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, but just weeks after his NFL dreams came true, it was revealed that he has yet to sign his rookie contract, and according to the man himself, he won’t practice with the team until an agreement is reached, and pen hits paper.<\/p>\n

This isn’t a new occurrence among first-round picks, especially those who feel their value is higher compared to their selection, but like every other player picked in the first round this year, you have to prove your worth at the next level during your first four seasons of the rookie deal each franchise provides. After sitting out of rookie mini-camp this week, Stewart was asked by the local Cincinnati media about his holdout.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just decided not to sign those papers. I hate being on the sidelines looking at everybody else do work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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This is not a great look when comparing Stewart to his fellow defensive linemen, Nic Scourton<\/a> has signed his deal with the Carolina Panthers<\/a>, while Shemar Turner has yet to sign his rookie deal with the Chicago Bears, as both were second-round selections.<\/p>\n

Again, the significance of Stewart not signing his initial contract is completely based on his draft status, as the Bengals see him as a future Pro Bowl player at one of the most important positions in the game. First-round draft picks are not guaranteed success<\/a>, and this is not a great start for the former five-star prospect who has all the potential in the world to succeed in the NFL.<\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Edge Shemar Stewart has not signed his rookie deal with Cincinnati<\/a><\/p>\n