Contract Standoff Sends NFL First-Round Pick Back to College
The NFL offseason just took a wild turn. The Cincinnati Bengals’ first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, has made a shocking move, returning to Texas A&M amid a contract stalemate that could keep him off the field in 2025.
Selected 17th overall in the NFL Draft, Stewart has yet to ink his rookie contract due to disagreements over contract language. His absence from mandatory minicamp and all offseason workouts already raised eyebrows, but his latest move sends a much louder message.
This comes at a terrible time for the Bengals defense, which already ranks near the bottom of the league. In 2024, the team gave up the eighth-most total yards and seventh-most points per game, ultimately costing them a playoff spot.
Stewart’s absence, paired with veteran Trey Hendrickson’s unresolved contract dispute, leaves Cincinnati without its top two pass rushers. Hendrickson recently resumed talks, but nothing is finalized.
Stewart’s Shocking Return to College
Reports now confirm Stewart has been training multiple times this summer with his former team, the Texas A&M Aggies. The 21-year-old is reportedly considering returning to college football, which would delay his NFL debut until 2026.
Though seen as raw, Stewart showed promise in his junior season, recording 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a career-high six tackles for loss. Returning for another year could help him refine his game and re-enter the draft with improved stock.
If Stewart takes the college route, it will mark a rare and bold move for a first-round NFL pick. The Bengals, already under pressure to bounce back from a missed postseason, could be in serious trouble if both Stewart and Hendrickson are absent from their defensive lineup.
Cincinnati still boasts one of the league’s top offenses, led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. However, a porous defense could once again derail their playoff hopes.
The NFL world will be watching closely. A top draft pick walking away before playing a single down is virtually unheard of, and could set a precedent for future holdouts.
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