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Ben Child
CINCINNATI — Bengals group president Mike Brown did not mince phrases in regards to the contract scenario between the group and unsigned rookie Shemar Stewart.
On the group’s annual media luncheon and Brown’s lone media availability annually, he stated it was “foolishness” that the group and Stewart have been unable to signal a contract. Stewart, the seventeenth total choose on this 12 months’s draft, is the lone first-round choice that has but to signal together with his respective membership.
The sticking level within the negotiations, Brown stated, is a dispute over the language in Stewart’s rookie contract pertaining to potential conduct detrimental to the group. In that state of affairs, it might void assured cash owed to Stewart, which is a clause the Bengals added lately to reflect different groups across the league.
That’s what prompted Brown to voice his stance on the contract.
“We have been right here for a very long time, it is by no means occurred and that is holding up this contract,” Brown stated Monday. “From our vantage level, it is a type of foolishness. It simply should get performed.”
Stewart didn’t partake in any exercises because the Bengals drafted him in April. Based on a supply accustomed to the negotiations, the group opted to not add in further language into the participation waiver that will have enabled Stewart to observe whereas the 2 sides work out a contract. Stewart didn’t report with the group’s different 5 rookies on Sunday.
Bengals govt Duke Tobin, the group’s de facto basic supervisor, stated he believed Cincinnati was possible the final group to implement that language into its contracts. He additionally did not take umbrage at Stewart particularly however these surrounding him.
“He is listening to the recommendation that he is paying for,” Tobin stated. “I do not perceive the recommendation. I do not agree with it. I am not the one paying for it, however that is the place it’s.
“If I assumed we had been treating him unfairly, it could be a distinct story. However we’re treating him pretty with all the remainder of the draft picks on this 12 months’s draft.” Zac Hiller, Stewart’s agent, shared an announcement with ESPN and different shops concerning Tobin’s feedback.
“Duke Tobin has had no involvement on this negotiation,” Hiller stated. “It appears to be above his pay grade.”
Coming into final weekend, Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., the group’s second-round choose, had been the one unsigned members of Cincinnati’s draft class. Nevertheless, Knight signed his paperwork Sunday, which permits him to take part in coaching camp. A supply accustomed to the negotiations instructed ESPN comparable phrases weren’t provided to Stewart.
That might have doubtlessly helped discover an finish to the standoff between the perimeters. Nevertheless, Stewart is ready to attend so long as wanted to be able to signal a deal that he feels is truthful, per a supply.
Stewart just isn’t the one Bengals defensive finish eyeing a contract. Trey Hendrickson, a four-time Professional Bowler and an All-Professional choice final season, has been wanting a long-term deal.
It is unclear if he’ll report with the remaining veterans Tuesday. Tobin stated he expects all gamers who’re below contract to report.
Nevertheless, there may be optimism from the highest official within the Bengals entrance workplace about getting Hendrickson on favorable phrases forward of his closing 12 months below his present contract.
“We’re working to get Trey signed as we converse right here,” Brown stated. “There are guys over within the workplace working to get that performed. I believe it will get performed.”
