
Bengals Sign Rookie Shemar Stewart to Fully Guaranteed Contract
Bengals rookie pass rusher Shemar Stewart has signed his first NFL contract after a negotiation stalemate, expressing relief and excitement to join the team and start training camp.
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Bengals rookie pass rusher Shemar Stewart has signed his first NFL contract after a negotiation stalemate, expressing relief and excitement to join the team and start training camp.

The Cincinnati Bengals have finally signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart to a four-year rookie deal after resolving contract disputes over default language and signing bonus adjustments, making him the last unsigned first-rounder this year. The team agreed to modify the language to satisfy Stewart, who had been holding out and not practicing, and also increased his signing bonus and camp bump. This concludes a notable negotiation chapter for rookie contracts, with Stewart now set to develop in Cincinnati's defense amidst ongoing team challenges.

Shemar Stewart, the 17th overall pick in the NFL draft, has agreed to his rookie contract with the Bengals after initially refusing to sign due to contract language concerns, in exchange for a higher signing bonus. Stewart, a defensive end from Texas A&M, is expected to make an immediate impact for the Bengals' defense.

Cardinals second-round pick Will Johnson is expected to sign his rookie contract before the start of training camp, joining most of the league's second-rounders who have already signed, leaving only two unsigned 2025 draft picks.

Bengals team president Mike Brown criticized the delay in signing rookie Shemar Stewart, citing a dispute over contract language related to conduct detrimental to the team, which has prevented Stewart from signing and participating in training camp. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing for veteran Trey Hendrickson's long-term deal, with optimism about reaching an agreement.

The Cincinnati Bengals have all their rookies reporting for training camp except first-round pick Shemar Stewart, who remains unsigned due to contract negotiations over bonus structure and guaranteed money clauses, with Stewart's agent and team still in talks.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed second-round pick Demetrius Knight to a four-year rookie contract with nearly 80% guaranteed at signing, marking a historic NFL first for guarantees extending into year four. Knight, a linebacker with a diverse college background and impressive 2024 stats, is now set to join the team's training camp.

Luther Burden III, the last of the Chicago Bears' 2025 draft picks, has finalized his four-year fully guaranteed rookie contract worth nearly $11 million, completing the team's draft contract signings ahead of training camp.

The Seattle Seahawks have signed tight end Elijah Arroyo, their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, to a four-year deal worth approximately $8.8 million with $6.87 million guaranteed, completing their 2025 draft class contracts and setting the stage for training camp.

The Detroit Lions signed second-round pick Tate Ratledge to a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $7.65 million, with the team emphasizing his versatility as an interior offensive lineman, primarily at center, during offseason training.

Chargers second-round pick Tre Harris has agreed to his rookie deal as NFL teams finalize contracts for their second-round selections, with Harris's signing occurring just as training camp begins, marking a move towards resolving unsigned rookie contracts after initial unprecedented fully guaranteed deals.

Ravens second-round outside linebacker Mike Green has signed his rookie contract, completing Baltimore's 2025 draft class and allowing him to participate in training camp. Green, a top pass rusher from Marshall, is expected to make an immediate impact, while safety Ar'Darius Washington is recovering from an Achilles injury.

The Denver Broncos have signed second-round pick RJ Harvey, a running back from UCF, and have completed contracts with all their 2025 draft picks except for first-rounder Shemar Stewart, who is in a contract dispute. The rookies reported for training camp on July 16.

The Chicago Bears have signed second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo to a four-year rookie deal, with the first two years fully guaranteed and significant guarantees in the third year, making him the first of their 2025 second-rounders to sign.

The San Francisco 49ers signed rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins to a four-year, $10.3 million contract with $9 million guaranteed, marking a significant move that is expected to influence NFL rookie contract negotiations and solidify Collins' role on the team's revamped defensive line.