Rookie Shamar Stewart’s Contract Dispute with Bengals

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Transcript

00:00You're getting a lot of those contracts signed by the first rounders that were selected at the end of April.

00:06However, one contract that is still outstanding, that would be Shamar Stewart,

00:11the edge rusher out of Texas A&M, drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals,

00:16who need all of the defensive help they can get, but yet they have not signed Stewart just yet.

00:22Stewart and his representation still in a disagreement with the Bengals front office over specific wording in that rookie deal.

00:30That would not maybe cover guaranteed future injuries.

00:34So Shamar Stewart remains unsigned with Cincinnati.

00:37Of course, the Bengals have a lot to still figure out this off season on the defensive side of the football.

00:43Like, can we get the answers on what the language is in the contract?

00:47Because when we talk about the Bengals and I bring it up repeatedly,

00:50like they're one of the cheapest franchises out there.

00:52Like, is it just like, Hey, you know, you're coming in for OTAs.

00:54We're not going to give you an expense on the cab from like the airport,

00:57or you're going to have to pay for your socks and Nike hasn't come through with your cleats yet.

01:02Can you buy them?

01:02And maybe down the line, we'll reimburse you to see if that makes a lot of sense.

01:06You're like, what is the actual holdup here?

01:08Because it is hilarious that this team needs all the talent it needs on defense.

01:12But yeah, Trey Hendrickson, who can lead the NFL in sacks.

01:15We're like, dude, we're not even going to pick up the phone and return your phone call.

01:17And they say, okay, well, we're going to draft your replacement and then tell the replacement.

01:21Ah, man, you got to buy your own pants, cleats, jerseys and helmet here to come.

01:25Like, what are we actually doing for just for one?

01:27Can we just be a professional franchise?

01:30Like, can we not have all in the family in the front office here?

01:32Can we just act with a modicum of respect to the NFL and the players and just say,

01:36this contract is printed out of a printer.

01:39Everybody in the first round gets the same language.

01:41The Bengals are like, I don't like that language here.

01:43I don't like that language here.

01:44You'll come in under our terms.

01:46How about some harmony to enter into a season where we're not worried about people getting paid.

01:50All we're worried about is winning a Super Bowl.

01:52We can't have nice things in Cincinnati, apparently.

01:55We'll be right there.