### **Cincinnati Bengals: Top Pick Shemar Stewart Holds Out From Rookie Minicamp**
The Bengals didn't get to see their top prospects on the field at rookie minicamp because first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart and second-round inside linebacker Demetrius Knight held out reportedly due to contract issues.
Stewart and Knight are the only Bengals rookies who have not inked their contracts.
"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bengals tried to get Stewart signed. As we understand it, the talks bogged down regarding the percentage of compensation in future years to be paid as a training-camp roster bonus," [Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bengals-offer-to-shemar-stewart-was-lacking-as-to-training-camp-roster-bonuses).
"The training-camp roster bonus has become a device for putting a sizable chunk of the player's pay in his pockets in future years, early in the season. In this case, the numbers offered by the Bengals reflected a lower percentage than the 17th overall pick received in 2024."
Stewart said he "just decided not to sign those papers" and hopes to join practice soon.