Shemar Stewart Absent at Bengals Training Camp Start
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart did not report to training camp with the rest of the rookies on Saturday. Stewart, the number 17 pick in the draft, is the only first-round player who has yet to sign his rookie contract.
Stewart, coming from Texas A&M, did not participate in any offseason training due to a contractual dispute over language that could void the guaranteed money in his deal.
Before Saturday, Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight, the team’s second-round pick, were the only members of Cincinnati’s six-player class who had not signed their rookie contracts.
However, Knight formalized his agreement on Saturday afternoon, before the start of training camp. The difference in the details is notable and shows the gap in Stewart’s negotiation.
According to a source close to the negotiations, the percentage of Knight’s signing bonus that was paid upfront was not offered to Stewart.
Knight’s projected signing bonus is $3.2 million, while Stewart could receive a bonus of $10.4 million.
Earlier this week, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko stated that Stewart has no intention of returning to college to play for the Aggies.
According to the current collective bargaining agreement between the NFLPA and the NFL, the team that drafted a player retains their rights until the following year’s draft. Since Stewart declared himself eligible for the draft after his third year, he would likely need to sue the NCAA to obtain his final year of eligibility.
Cincinnati’s veterans are scheduled to report on Tuesday, a day before the team begins its training camp in downtown Cincinnati.
