Shemar Stewart
Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart stands firm in contract battle: 'I'm 100% right'
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The Cincinnati Bengals contract conundrums continue.First-round pick Shemar Stewart is not practicing at the teams mandatory minicamp this week because he has yet to sign his rookie contract.Cincinnati ironed out Tee Higgins contract situation this offseason, but the Bengals are still dealing with top edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Now, their first-round pick is holding out until he gets a deal he likes.Stewart, the Texas A&M product who went 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft in April, has yet to practice this summer, and the Bengals are reportedly trying something no other team in the league has done yet by voiding future guarantees for Stewart.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe unprecedented contract maneuver is not sitting well with Stewart, and he sounded off about the front office Tuesday while at the Bengals complex."Im 100% right," he said of his stance about his rookie deal, according to SI.com. "Im not asking for nothing yall (the Bengals) have never done before. But in yall case, yall just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."Stewart said he "cant say" what he is asking for in his contract.BENGALS' TREY HENDRICKSON RELEASES SCATHING STATEMENT AGAINST TEAM AS CONTRACT TALKS STALLIn the meantime, hes still attending meetings and doing what he can off the field to be ready for the season."I still study my playbook. Taking down the right notes, and then, whenever I get some free time, I go out to train," he said.But Stewart wants to be on the field with his teammates. He says he has been preparing properly in the offseason for his first crack at the NFL."You gotta get your body somewhat prepared to play football, especially me coming from college. The NFL is a way physical game, even though I played in the SEC, which is very physical. Nothing compares to actually playing in the NFL. I thought Id be on the field by now."Stewart was considered a raw prospect coming out of the Aggies program, someone who possesses tremendous athletic ability but needs to shore up the technical aspects of playing outside linebacker.Hes hoping to do that for years to come in Cincinnati, and though the contract situation is less than ideal, he doesnt have any ill will for the franchise."Im still new here. We still have a long future ahead of us," he said.However, Stewart is making it clear hes doing nothing wrong with his contract negotiations.The ball is in the Bengals court.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
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