Former Texas A&M defensive lineman and Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart was a non-participant in Friday's rookie minicamp, a decision he described as contract related. The Bengals selected the former five-star prospect with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft last month, but Stewart has yet to finalize his rookie deal.
"I just decided not to sign those papers," Stewart said when asked why he did not participate in on-field drills. "... I hate being on the sidelines looking at everybody else do work. ... Especially on the first day, that's kind of tough on me. I'm doing everything else, just on the field stuff, I'm not doing it."
Stewart expressed hope to have his rookie contract signed by next week. Bengals' second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. also was a non-participant. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor provided an explanation, saying: "They're just working through their contracts right now."
Stewart was a force in his first full season as a starting defensive end at Texas A&M in 2024, earning All-SEC Third Team honors. He led the Aggies with seven quarterback hurries and ranked top five on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. Stewart also registered 31 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two pass breakups as a junior. For his efforts, Stewart was nominated for the Defensive Trenches Award at the Texas A&M annual banquet.
Stewart played in all 13 games as a sophomore in 2023, getting a start in the Texas Bowl against Oklahoma State. He was among the SEC leaders with 26 pressures that season, earning Defensive Most Improved Award at Texas A&M. Stewart posted 11 total tackles that season with two for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2022, he played in all 12 games, making six starts as a true freshman. He had 14 total tackles, but also added 14 pressures in just 174 pass rush opportunities. He earned the Defensive Top Newcomer award at the annual team banquet.
"My power rushes," Stewart said at the NFL Draft when asked what part of his game best translates to the league, via GigEm247. "Setting everything up with power. You had the leading sack rusher this year, and all he did was power. It translates pretty seamlessly as long as I get the technique down."
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Stewart rated as a five-star prospect coming out of Opa Locka (Fla.) Monsignor Pace in the 2022 class. He ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit and No. 3 defensive lineman nationally. Stewart was one of the gems in the historic 2022 signing class for Texas A&M, which ranked No. 1 nationally and was the subject of ridicule from other programs due to its estimated cost under then-coach Jimbo Fisher.
Brad Crawford and GigEm247's Jeff Tarpley contributed to this report.