CINCINNATI — The Bengals have all of their rookies in the fold ahead of training camp this week, except for Shemar Stewart after Demetrius Knight Jr signed his rookie contract with major guaranteed money into Year 4 this morning.
FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz confirmed, the team’s top pick remains unsigned as a few teams rookie’s reported this weekend. Per league rules, neither can practice with the team until they sign their rookie deals.
“As their rookies report to camp today, Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart remains unsigned with no progress having been made toward a deal,” Schultz noted.
Stewart is reportedly trying to overcome a couple of contract obstacles, including the bonus structure and a new clause that changes guaranteed money default language compared other past Bengals first-round picks. Read more on those here.
The Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway confirmed the bonus issue on saturday, reporting Stewart has not gotten a similar signing bonus payout offer as Demetrius Knight Jr.
He is getting 75% of his signing bonus upfront in the freshly agreed to deal.
Context when examining why the Bengals and Demetrius Knight were able to get a deal done but not Shemar Stewart
The Bengals are giving Knight 75% of his signing bonus upon signing in exchange for the new language. They have not offered that % to Shemar, a source tells me
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) July 19, 2025
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