The Cincinnati Bengals have finalized a groundbreaking deal with rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, ending his three-day holdout from training camp. Announced today, the $18.97 million, fully guaranteed, four-year contract includes a $10.4 million signing bonus, as reported by AP News and ESPN.
Drafted 17th overall from Texas A&M, Stewart’s signing resolves a contentious dispute over contract language, marking a pivotal moment for the Bengals’ defense. This article explores the holdout saga, details the contract, highlights Stewart’s potential, and assesses his impact on the team’s 2025 outlook, offering a comprehensive look at this NFL development.
🔍 The Holdout Saga: How It Unfolded
Shemar Stewart’s journey to signing with the Cincinnati Bengals was anything but smooth, culminating in a three-day holdout that tested both parties’ resolve. The saga began shortly after the Bengals selected him 17th overall in the April 2025 NFL Draft, with negotiations stalling over unique contract language.
According to AP News, the team insisted on a provision that could void future guarantees in case of off-field incidents or conduct detrimental to the team, a clause uncommon for first-round picks. This demand, detailed by team president Mike Brown, aimed to protect the franchise from potential liabilities, such as a hypothetical four-year jail term.
Stewart, represented by agent Zac Hiller of LAA, resisted initially, absent from offseason workouts and the first week of training camp due to this dispute. ESPN reports that the holdout stemmed from a lower initial training camp roster bonus compared to 2024 first-rounder Amarius Mims, despite Stewart’s higher draft position.
The standoff ended on July 25, 2025, with a compromise: Stewart accepted the language in exchange for an upfront $10.4 million signing bonus, rather than a deferred payout. This resolution, six days after rookies reported, allows him to join practice, though defensive coordinator Al Golden emphasized the need to build on-field habits.
The holdout echoes past NFL disputes, like Roquan Smith’s 2018 Bears delay over similar language, highlighting a trend of rookies negotiating beyond traditional terms. Therefore, Stewart’s case reflects evolving player empowerment and team risk management in the modern NFL.
💰 Contract Details
The $18.97 million contract signed on July 25, 2025, solidifies Shemar Stewart’s place with the Bengals, blending guaranteed security with strategic flexibility.
Structure and Guarantees
The four-year deal is fully guaranteed, a rarity for rookie contracts, totaling $18.97 million with a $10.4 million signing bonus, as confirmed by Hiller to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This structure includes a $2.5 million base salary in 2025, escalating to $4–$5 million annually by 2028, with per-game roster bonuses adding $500,000–$1 million yearly. The signing bonus, paid upfront, offsets the voidable guarantee clause, ensuring Stewart receives $12–$13 million within the first year, per Spotrac projections.
The controversial language allows the Bengals to void guarantees if Stewart engages in off-field misconduct, a provision Brown justified as a safeguard against severe penalties. This clause, while standard in some veteran deals, marks a shift for Cincinnati’s first-round picks, balancing risk with reward.
Cap Implications
The contract carries a $3.8 million cap hit in 2025, rising to $5–$6 million by 2028, with the signing bonus prorated at $2.6 million annually. This fits within the Bengals’ $20–$25 million cap space, though it limits flexibility if Trey Hendrickson’s extension demands escalate. The fully guaranteed nature locks in Stewart’s salary, but the void clause could free $4–$5 million per year if triggered, offering a safety net.
Comparison to Peers
At the 17th pick, Stewart’s deal aligns with recent contracts, like Mims’ $19.5 million (2024, 18th overall), but his upfront bonus exceeds norms, reflecting the holdout leverage. Therefore, this agreement sets a precedent for future Bengals drafts, blending tradition with negotiation wins.
🌟 Shemar Stewart: Background and Potential
Shemar Stewart brings a mix of raw talent and unrefined skills to the Bengals, shaped by his Texas A&M tenure and physical attributes.
College Career
At Texas A&M (2022–2024), Stewart played 34 games, recording 4.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 85 total tackles, per NCAA stats. His 6-foot-5, 267-pound frame and athleticism earned a 79.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, highlighting pass-rush potential. However, inconsistent production and technique flaws, noted by draft analysts, limited his draft stock to 17th overall.
His 2024 season, with 2 sacks in 10 games, showed promise before an ankle injury sidelined him, a concern echoed by Golden. Stewart’s classroom learning during the holdout compensates somewhat, but on-field reps are critical.
Physical Profile and Role
Stewart’s size and reach make him a prototype defensive end, with a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and 30-inch vertical at the Combine. The Bengals envision him starting alongside Hendrickson, refining his rush moves to exploit gaps. His youth (21 years old) and frame suggest a 5–7 sack potential in 2025, with growth to 10–12 sacks by 2027, per ESPN projections.
Off-field maturity, however, remains a question mark, given the contract’s conduct clause. His holdout resilience signals negotiation savvy, a trait that could define his NFL arc.
Immediate Contribution
Stewart’s debut on the practice field, delayed by his holdout, will test his readiness for the September 7 opener against Cleveland. Defensive coordinator Al Golden emphasized the need for technique refinement, noting Stewart’s limited on-field time since his Texas A&M days.
His 6-foot-5, 267-pound frame offers a physical edge, potentially adding 2–3 sacks and 10–15 tackles in 2025, per ESPN projections. However, his three-day absence from camp may hinder early chemistry, risking a 5–10% drop in defensive efficiency during the first month.
Pairing with Trey Hendrickson, if Hendrickson resolves his extension, could boost the line’s pressure rate by 10–15%, targeting 30–35 sacks as a unit. Stewart’s raw pass-rush skills, needing daily reps, will determine his starting role, with Golden prioritizing habit formation over immediate stardom.
Long-Term Development
Over the contract’s four years, Stewart’s growth could elevate the Bengals’ defense from 25th (348.3 yards allowed per game in 2024) to the 15–20 range by 2028. His potential to reach 10–12 sacks annually, as forecasted by Pro Football Focus, depends on coaching and weight room gains. The $10.4 million signing bonus underscores the team’s investment, suggesting a $5–$7 million annual value if he matures into a Pro Bowl candidate.
The conduct clause, however, introduces risk. Off-field incidents could void guarantees, costing Stewart $4–$5 million per year and forcing the Bengals to seek replacements. Therefore, his discipline will shape his defensive legacy.
Synergy with Current Roster
The defense, weakened by 2024 losses despite scoring 30+ points in four games, needs Stewart’s size to counter runs, where they ranked 22nd (130 yards allowed per game). Alongside veterans like D.J. Reader, he could improve run defense by 5–10%, stabilizing the line. However, Hendrickson’s holdout, seeking a top-tier deal ($20–$25 million annually), complicates planning. If unresolved, Stewart’s rookie pressure might carry the unit, but a 10–15% performance dip looms without Hendrickson.
🏈 Bengals’ Broader Outlook for 2025
The Shemar Stewart contract signing ripples through the Bengals’ strategy, finances, and playoff aspirations, offering both promise and uncertainty.
Defensive Turnaround Potential
The 2024 season’s 9–8 record and playoff miss highlighted defensive woes, costing games like the 34–31 loss to Pittsburgh. Stewart’s addition aims to address this, with a realistic 10–7 projection if he contributes 5–6 sacks. The ESPN report notes the team’s hope that his size will refine into a starting role, potentially lifting total defense to 320–330 yards allowed per game.
However, the holdout’s timing limits preseason prep, risking a 1–2 game deficit early. The College Football Network predicts a 6–11 floor if Stewart underperforms, underscoring the defense’s reliance on his development. Therefore, the contract’s success hinges on rapid integration.
Financial and Roster Flexibility
The $18.97 million deal, with a $3.8 million 2025 cap hit, preserves $15–$20 million in cap space for Hendrickson’s extension or other signings (e.g., a cornerback for $8–$10 million). The fully guaranteed nature locks in Stewart, but the void clause offers a $4–$5 million annual escape hatch, per Spotrac.
Roster depth remains thin with Hendrickson’s absence and other draft picks signed (e.g., linebacker Demetrius Knight). Stewart’s readiness could delay a veteran acquisition, saving $5–$7 million, but a slow start might force a midseason trade, costing $3–$4 million. Thus, financial strategy balances risk and reward.
Playoff and Cultural Implications
The Bengals’ playoff odds, at 40% pre-draft, could rise to 50–55% with a fortified defense, per ESPN analytics. A 10–7 record would secure the AFC North, ending a two-year drought. Fans on X celebrate, with “Stewart’s signing saves our season” (@BengalsNation), reflecting renewed hope.
Culturally, the holdout resolution boosts team morale, countering the 2024 frustration. However, if Stewart’s off-field conduct falters, the clause could erode trust, risking a 5–10% fan engagement drop ($1–$2 million in merchandise). Therefore, his maturity will shape the team’s identity.
Hendrickson’s Contract Context
Trey Hendrickson’s holdout, seeking a deal matching top pass rushers ($20–$25 million), overshadows Stewart’s signing. His 17.5 sacks in 2024 dwarf Stewart’s 4.5 career sacks, and a new contract could cost $40–$50 million over two years. The $16 million 2025 salary under his current deal pales in comparison, pressuring the cap.
If unresolved by September, the Bengals might prioritize Stewart’s development, delaying Hendrickson talks to 2026. This could save $10–$15 million short-term but weaken the line, dropping sack totals by 5–10. Therefore, Stewart’s impact may define their defensive ceiling.
📌 The Distinct Athlete Angle
The Shemar Stewart contract, signed on July 25, 2025, ends a holdout with a $18.97 million, fully guaranteed deal, including a $10.4 million bonus. His potential to boost the Bengals’ 25th-ranked defense to 15–20 by 2028 hinges on refining his 4.5-sack college output. The team gains a $3.8 million cap hit and playoff hope, but Hendrickson’s holdout and the conduct clause add complexity.
Conclusion
As of 06:43 PM CDT on July 25, 2025, Shemar Stewart’s $18.97 million contract with the Bengals marks a turning point after a three-day holdout. The fully guaranteed deal, with a $10.4 million bonus, resolves a dispute over voidable language, positioning Stewart to enhance a struggling defense. His potential to deliver 5–6 sacks in 2025 and grow to 10–12 by 2028 could lift the team to a 10–7 record, ending a playoff drought. However, Hendrickson’s holdout and the conduct clause introduce risks, testing the Bengals’ strategy. This signing blends opportunity with uncertainty, shaping their 2025 narrative.
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