The Cincinnati Bengals and rookie first-round choose Shemar Stewart have made no progress on contract talks a coaching camp looms, experiences say. Based on the Cincinnati Enquirer, the group re-opened contract talks with Stewart late final month, however they didn’t progress. They haven’t spoken once more because the finish of June, no less than as of June 3. Though it’s a number of days since, there aren’t any additional experiences indicating talks, not to mention progress.
Ordinarily, the absence of a contract for a rookie wouldn’t be so alarming, however this case is totally different. In a uncommon transfer, Shemar Stewart has declined to signal a participation waiver, which might permit him to follow. He and his agent have issues in regards to the verbiage not solely with the Bengals’ contract provide, but in addition with the participation waiver.
Since choosing the sting rusher within the first spherical, the Bengals have but to see him on the sphere. Although he did all the things else at rookie minicamp and OTAs, he left for the ultimate day of necessary minicamp. Stewart hoped to signal a contract by then, however Cincinnati wouldn’t budge.
Exacerbating the difficulty is the Bengals’ ongoing contract dispute with star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. Regardless of main the NFL in sacks final 12 months, they don’t seem to view him contractually inside the realm of the highest-paid gamers. Hendrickson has threatened to not play below his present contract. And Shemar Stewart hasn’t even performed a snap but.
If the Bengals have any fear of Hendrickson not being on the sphere for the season opener, they’re solely furthering their points by doubtlessly stunting Stewart’s development. A rookie particularly must be taught on the sphere, and he hasn’t finished that but.
At this level, there aren’t any indications Shemar Stewart will signal a contract earlier than coaching camp. If he doesn’t, he’ll, presumably, not present. He’s already on this deep, and there’s no sense in giving up now. If points stick with Trey Hendrickson, it will solely strengthen his personal place. And if he struggles when he does play, he can put it on the entrance workplace for not guaranteeing that they provide him with an appropriate contract.
One situation so far as we’re involved is the truth that numerous reporters have provided numerous interpretations, maybe with various levels of accuracy or credible sources, about what exactly is at situation in Shemar Stewart’s contract provide. My studying is that it issues, partially, a number of points of assured cash.
The Bengals reportedly modified the language of their contracts this 12 months, although comparable verbiage isn’t distinctive to them. Nevertheless, his contract doesn’t match the contract signed by final 12 months’s first-round choose Amarius Mims. They drafted Shemar Stewart one slot sooner than Mims, so if something, he ought to have extra favorable language.
