First-round draft pick Shemar Stewart is making headlines before he’s played a snap for the Cincinnati Bengals. The talented edge rusher has yet to sign his rookie contract, and a swirl of rumors this week suggested he might be heading back to Texas A&M. That set off speculation across social media, with some wondering if he was abandoning the NFL altogether.
The truth is a lot less dramatic, but it still reflects a growing tension between Stewart and the Bengals.
Reports originally surfaced claiming Stewart was "fully involved" in workouts at Texas A&M, implying a possible return to college football. That claim quickly went viral, feeding confusion about his status. However, multiple reporters have now confirmed that Stewart is simply using the school’s facilities to train on his own.
According to Bengals insider Kelsey Conway, Stewart lives in Texas during the offseason and has been working out independently at Texas A&M. He is not practicing with the Aggies, which would violate NCAA rules and eliminate any chance of him regaining college eligibility. The training setup is actually common for NFL rookies who want to stay in shape near home.
While the college rumor has been debunked, the contract standoff remains very real. The Bengals have proposed language in Stewart’s deal that would allow the team to void guaranteed money if he faces off-field issues. This is not standard for most first-round contracts, and Stewart has made it clear he’s not accepting that clause.
"I'm 100 percent right," Stewart said last month. "I'm not asking for anything y'all have never done before."
The Bengals selected Stewart 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Under the NFL's rookie wage scale, he is slotted to receive roughly $18.9 million over four years, fully guaranteed. However, the disputed clause is holding up what should be a routine signing.
Time is now a factor. Rookies report to training camp this weekend, and Stewart will likely remain absent. If a deal is not reached by the Tuesday after Week 10 of the regular season, Stewart will be ineligible to play in 2025.
A trade request could be another option, though there is no indication that the Bengals are exploring that path.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati is also dealing with another unresolved contract situation involving All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Both players were expected to be key pieces on a defense that struggled in 2024. If neither takes the field soon, the team could be in for a rough start to the season.
As for the college angle, returning to NCAA football is not a viable option. Once a player is drafted, their eligibility is forfeited. While legal loopholes exist, including potential litigation around NIL and transfer rules, there is no sign Stewart intends to pursue any of that. Re-entering the 2026 NFL Draft would require him to sit out the entire 2025 season, which is both financially and competitively risky.
For now, Stewart remains unsigned but focused on preparing for the NFL. The question is whether the Bengals will soften their stance or risk letting one of their top prospects sit out the season.
