Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin is growing frustrated over pass-rusher Shemar Stewart’s decision to hold out as the two sides remain at odds over the first-round pick’s rookie contract.
“I hope Shemar comes in,” Tobin told reporters Monday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Russ Heltman. “He needs to be here. I would encourage him to be here. He could be a factor for a championship-caliber football team. I’d like to see him, and I hope he gets here soon.”
Stewart is the only first-round selection who has yet to sign his rookie deal. He left minicamp in June and criticized the Bengals’ front office, claiming the team would rather win a contract standoff than football games.
The disagreement reportedly stems from a clause that Cincinnati wants included in Stewart’s rookie deal, which would allow the team to void future guarantees under certain conditions. Amarius Mims, who Cincinnati drafted in the first round in 2024, doesn’t have the clause in his contract.
Stewart has been working out at Texas A&M with former college teammates amid his holdout. Despite speculation he could return to school, Aggies head coach Mike Elko dismissed the possibility of the edge rusher coming back to the program in 2025. If Stewart doesn’t play in the NFL this season, he’s eligible to reenter the draft in 2026.
“I don’t blame Shemar (Stewart). He’s listening to the advice he’s paying for. I don’t understand the advice. … We’re treating him fairly,” Tobin said.
The 2025 17th overall pick isn’t the only Bengals pass-rusher holding out. Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks last season, has expressed his frustration with the lack of progress on an extension and sat out of the team’s mandatory minicamp.
However, Tobin appears optimistic about reaching a deal with Hendrickson, saying Monday that he thinks “it’ll get done,” per ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Cincinnati opens training camp on Wednesday.
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Source:: Sports Football – The Score
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