Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart Shocks Fans, Skips Training Camp and Remains Unsigned With NFL Preseason Just Weeks Away

The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2025 NFL offseason brimming with optimism following a successful draft class that appeared primed to contribute early. But that confidence has taken an unexpected hit. Defensive end Shemar Stewart, the team’s third second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a former five-star recruit out of Texas A&M, has not reported to training camp and remains unsigned as of Monday, raising concerns within the organization and among the fanbase.

Stewart, selected 61st overall, was widely projected as a high-upside edge rusher with the physical tools to immediately contribute in a rotational role. At 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds with freakish athleticism, he was one of the Bengals’ most anticipated rookies entering camp. However, his absence looms large, especially for a team that had been counting on an injection of young talent on the defensive line.

According to sources close to the situation, Stewart and his representatives have yet to reach an agreement with the Bengals on his rookie contract. While most NFL rookie deals are relatively straightforward under the current collective bargaining agreement, there are still areas of negotiation — particularly for players taken outside the first round — involving signing bonus payout structures, guaranteed money, offset language, and other financial protections.

What makes Stewart’s situation particularly eyebrow-raising is the fact that the Bengals have already signed their other two second-round picks — wide receiver Luther Burden III and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo — along with the rest of their draft class. Stewart, the lone holdout, is also one of just three unsigned rookies leaguewide, a number that shrinks each day as camps open across the NFL.

“Everyone in the building expected Shemar to be here Day One,” a Bengals team official told reporters anonymously. “This isn’t something we anticipated becoming a distraction, but here we are.”

Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor addressed the situation briefly during his Monday morning press conference, offering little insight but confirming that the team has not heard a firm timeline from Stewart’s camp.

“We’re continuing conversations with Shemar’s representatives,” Taylor said. “Obviously we want him here, and we think very highly of him. But for now, we’re focused on the guys who are here and ready to work.”

Taylor declined to say whether the Bengals are considering fines or other consequences for Stewart’s absence, though technically, since he remains unsigned, he is not under contract and thus not subject to mandatory team penalties for missing camp. Still, the optics are troubling, especially for a franchise that has worked hard to establish a culture of accountability and cohesion in recent years.

Several veterans on the Bengals defense, including team captain Trey Hendrickson and defensive tackle B.J. Hill, were asked about Stewart’s no-show. While most were diplomatic in their responses, there was an underlying sense of disappointment.

“I remember when I came into the league — you want to show the team you’re serious, that you’re about your business,” said Hill. “Everybody’s situation is different, so I won’t speak for him. But it’s always better when all the guys are here learning together.”

The Bengals’ coaching staff had mapped out a development plan for Stewart that included significant reps in camp and early exposure during preseason action. The goal, according to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, was to ease him into the rotation behind established veterans while grooming him for an eventual starting role opposite Hendrickson. Stewart’s skillset — long arms, elite burst, and the ability to convert speed to power — had earned him praise from scouts and coaches alike throughout the draft process.

With Stewart absent, the reps he was expected to receive are now being split among Day 3 pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste, a raw but athletic pass rusher out of Notre Dame, and undrafted free agents hoping to impress. While that’s a silver lining for depth evaluation, it’s far from ideal when your second-round investment isn’t present to absorb the playbook or adjust to NFL speed.

From a roster-building perspective, Stewart’s delay presents another layer of complexity. Because he’s not under contract, the Bengals cannot place him on the Non-Football Injury or Did Not Report list, nor can they shuffle his spot for flexibility until a deal is reached. It effectively stalls their ability to get clarity on one of the biggest unknowns of camp — how ready is Stewart to contribute at the pro level?

Former Bengals great and current NFL Network analyst Willie Anderson spoke on the matter during a Monday afternoon segment, cautioning against overreacting but stressing the importance of buy-in from rookies.

“Shemar’s a talented young man, no doubt,” Anderson said. “But when you get drafted, it’s a blessing — not a negotiation like the old days. These rookie deals are mostly slotted. If you’re holding out in today’s NFL, it better be for a good reason, because otherwise it sends the wrong message to your teammates and coaches.”

NFL insiders believe the impasse could be related to guaranteed money and the timing of bonus payouts. While Stewart’s slot at No. 61 overall places his contract value around $6.3 million over four years, agents often push for more favorable payment schedules or the inclusion of guarantees beyond the standard. Still, observers around the league say the risk of a prolonged holdout outweighs the reward for a non-first-round rookie.

This is especially true in a year where Stewart needed to prove himself after an uneven college career. He flashed dominance at times for Texas A&M but struggled with consistency, injuries, and scheme fits under multiple coaching changes. The Bengals drafted him not just for his measurables but because of the developmental upside they believed their system could unlock. Now, that progress is on hold.

Cincinnati fans, who have grown increasingly vocal on social media, appear divided. Some sympathize with Stewart’s right to secure fair terms, especially in a league known for its brutal physical demands and short career windows. Others argue that the delay undermines the trust-building process between rookies and the franchise.

“Shemar needs to get in here and earn it,” one fan wrote on a popular Bengals Reddit forum. “Every day he’s not at camp is a day someone else takes his job.”

As the Bengals prepare for their first padded practices of training camp later this week, Stewart’s absence remains the biggest unresolved storyline. While there is still time to reach a deal and reintegrate him before the preseason begins in earnest, each passing day chips away at the opportunity to make an early impact — both for Stewart and for a Bengals defense looking to reassert itself in a stacked AFC North.

General Manager Duke Tobin has not spoken publicly about the situation since draft weekend, but league insiders say the team remains hopeful a resolution is imminent. However, should the impasse extend into August, pressure will mount from within the locker room and front office alike.

For now, Stewart’s locker remains untouched inside the Bengals’ camp facility — a quiet reminder of both potential and uncertainty. What was once envisioned as a seamless addition to the Bengals’ defensive arsenal has become a lingering question mark that casts a shadow over the early days of camp.

Whether this standoff ends quietly with a handshake or snowballs into a prolonged saga may very well shape how Stewart is perceived within the organization moving forward. And for a player on the cusp of fulfilling his NFL dream, that perception matters as much as performance.

The Bengals hope the message is clear: it’s time to come in, suit up, and go to work. Because the NFL waits for no one — not even a high-upside rookie with first-round talent.