Shemar Stewart’s long-awaited rookie contract saga has finally come to a close, and the Cincinnati Bengals can breathe a sigh of relief. After weeks of speculation, tense negotiations, and widespread scrutiny from analysts and fans alike, the standout defensive end out of Texas A\&M has officially inked his rookie deal with the franchise that selected him. It is a moment that many within the Bengals organization had been anxiously anticipating, and now that pen has met paper, the attention can shift from boardrooms and headlines to football fields and playbooks.
The prolonged nature of Stewart’s contract talks raised more than a few eyebrows around the league. For a player selected in the second round—albeit with first-round talent—the expectation is generally a fairly routine negotiation. Rookie wage scales have made it easier for teams and players to come to agreements quickly, but Stewart’s camp, led by a savvy agent team, pushed for a deal that not only compensated the young edge rusher fairly, but also protected him in terms of guarantees and structure. Cincinnati, historically cautious when it comes to guaranteeing large sums for rookies, found themselves in unfamiliar territory—negotiating against a high-upside player who wasn’t afraid to push boundaries before ever taking an NFL snap.
Stewart’s talent, however, made the ordeal worthwhile from the Bengals’ perspective. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds with elite burst, long arms, and a relentless motor, the former five-star recruit had long been heralded as a can’t-miss prospect. His time at Texas A\&M confirmed much of the hype. While he didn’t necessarily light up the stat sheet every week, his presence on the field was undeniable. Offensive coordinators had to account for him, and his ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt timing made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. His ability to impact both the run and pass game is why many draft analysts projected him to be selected within the first 32 picks. When he slid into the second round, it was seen not as a knock on his ability, but more a reflection of teams prioritizing other positional needs or concerns about his consistency.
The Bengals, never ones to ignore value, pounced on the opportunity to select Stewart early in the second round. It was seen by many as a steal, a player with elite upside falling into the lap of a team that desperately needed a jolt to its pass-rushing unit. Cincinnati’s defensive line, while talented, had lacked a consistently dominant presence opposite Trey Hendrickson. Adding Stewart into the mix promised to make the Bengals a far more difficult matchup in the AFC North, where physicality and trench warfare often determine who rises to the top.
However, the joy of drafting Stewart quickly gave way to the frustration of a drawn-out contract negotiation. Unlike some other rookies who fall in line with preset financial expectations, Stewart and his team were adamant about establishing leverage early. They pointed to his unique skill set, his position of need, and the fact that several other defensive ends in his draft class were signed to robust deals with front-loaded guarantees. The Bengals, who typically avoid extensive guarantees for players beyond the first round, found themselves in a philosophical dilemma. Stick to tradition or bend to secure a player who could dramatically alter their defensive fortunes?
As days turned into weeks and training camp loomed, the pressure built. Fans took to social media to voice frustrations, some targeting the front office for being too rigid, others blaming Stewart’s camp for stalling. In the background, both sides remained in regular dialogue, with progress being made in small steps. Ultimately, a compromise was reached that offered Stewart significant upfront guarantees while maintaining the Bengals’ overall structural integrity in their salary cap model. It was, in many ways, a lesson in modern negotiation, where talent, timing, and trust all intersect in complex fashion.
With the ink dry and Stewart officially in the fold, the Bengals now turn their focus to integrating their prized rookie into the defensive scheme. He enters a room led by veterans like Sam Hubbard and the aforementioned Hendrickson, both of whom have expressed excitement about mentoring the young lineman. Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has already been scheming ways to get Stewart on the field early, emphasizing rotational packages that allow him to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback without needing to carry the full burden of a starter from day one.
Stewart’s skill set fits well within the Bengals’ evolving defensive philosophy. Anarumo likes to run hybrid fronts and exotic blitzes, often shifting between a 4-3 and a 3-4 look. Stewart’s versatility—his ability to play with his hand in the dirt or stand up as an outside linebacker—makes him an ideal chess piece. Moreover, his burst off the edge and length allow him to disrupt passing lanes even when he doesn’t get home on a sack. In a division stacked with elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson, the ability to make signal-callers uncomfortable is invaluable.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Stewart’s signing also brings a sense of closure and unity to a Bengals team that is looking to reassert itself as a contender. Last season ended in disappointment, with a late-season collapse costing Cincinnati a playoff berth. Injuries and inconsistency plagued a team that had Super Bowl aspirations. The front office responded aggressively in the offseason, adding key free agents, reinforcing the offensive line, and now, ensuring that one of their most important draft picks is ready to contribute from the outset. Stewart’s arrival is the final puzzle piece in what has been a calculated offseason for the Bengals, one aimed at maximizing their championship window while Burrow is still in his prime.
From Stewart’s perspective, the end of the contract ordeal is a welcome relief. While he remained largely silent during the negotiations, those close to him say he was eager to join his teammates and begin building chemistry. For a player who thrives on competition and physicality, being sidelined while paperwork dragged on was frustrating. Now that he’s cleared to participate, expect Stewart to hit the ground running—literally. Conditioning will be a top priority, as the Bengals aim to ramp him up without risking soft tissue injuries or overexertion.
There is also a psychological component to consider. The extended negotiations, while ultimately resolved, place a unique pressure on Stewart to perform. Fair or not, some will expect him to immediately justify the holdout and the money. Others will scrutinize his effort and demeanor for signs of entitlement or ego. Stewart’s collegiate career and high school background suggest he’s built to handle such scrutiny. He’s been in the spotlight since he was a teenager, and his work ethic has been praised by every coach he’s played for. Still, the NFL is a different animal, and how he responds to early adversity will say a lot about his long-term potential.
For Bengals fans, this moment represents the culmination of months of anticipation and anxiety. From draft day euphoria to the frustration of stalled talks, and now, finally, to the optimism of a signed deal, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. But with Stewart now officially a Bengal, the franchise has added a high-ceiling defender who could shape the team’s identity for years to come.
What lies ahead for Shemar Stewart in Cincinnati is anyone’s guess. The talent is undeniable, the opportunity is clear, and the motivation seems genuine. If everything clicks, the Bengals may have not just a rotational piece, but a future cornerstone on their hands. Time will tell whether this signing marks the beginning of a stellar NFL career or just another case of potential left unrealized. But for now, the Bengals and Stewart can finally look forward instead of back.
Training camp snaps, preseason game reps, and real-time film study await. The real work begins now.
