Texas A&M coach Mike Elko shot down rumors that defensive end Shemar Stewart, a former Aggie whom the Cincinnati Bengals selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, may return to the university instead of making his professional debut this season.
“There’s no intentions of Shemar to play for the Aggies this year,” Elko told ESPN’s Shae Cornette on Thursday. “But Shemar has been around. He’s very comfortable in our program, really likes what we do training-wise. He’s been training, getting ready for his season this year with the Bengals. We wish him the best.”
“Shemar Stewart is back with us, working out, getting ready to go to Cincinnati to play in the NFL. It’s amazing what can get created on social media these days.”
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko confirms that Bengals 1st round pick Shemar Stewart is just working out with his old… pic.twitter.com/HZ9696d6yu
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 17, 2025
Stewart and the Bengals are embroiled in a contract dispute over language the team included in his rookie deal. At the center of the conflict is a clause that allows the Bengals to void guaranteed money if Stewart defaults on the contract by engaging in conduct detrimental to the team — such as injuring himself during a prohibited activity or committing a criminal offense.
As negotiations have dragged on, Stewart has argued that the updated clause is unfair, noting the team used different language in similar situations for previous first-round picks.
“Trying to implement something new, to me, is unfair,” Stewart said in June. “And I feel like I’ve been nothing but fair. I’m not asking for nothing crazy. I could understand if I was asking for more on my signing bonus, which I’m not. (The Bengals) trying to do all of this is crazy.”
Stewart sat out the team’s mandatory minicamp, and with Bengals rookies scheduled to report for training camp Saturday, the matter has fans concerned. Among Cincinnati rookies, only Stewart and second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. remained unsigned.
The impasse fueled recent speculation that Stewart might opt for a return to Texas A&M for his final year of college eligibility, but Elko’s comments Thursday made it clear that the Aggies don’t expect that to happen.
Meanwhile, the Bengals still haven’t signed a long-term extension with All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who would likely play opposite Stewart if all goes according to Cincinnati’s plans. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks (17.5) last season and is in the final year of a contract he signed in 2023, but the Bengals have resisted his desire for a bigger, long-term extension.
“I’m not going to apologize for the rates of the defensive ends being paid in the National Football League,” Hendrickson said in May.
Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to make edge rusher T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL on Thursday with a 3-year, $123 million extension, that rate could keep rising.
What that means for Stewart and Hendrickson is unclear. Practice starts Wednesday.
(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
