NFL insiders announced that Broncos rookie CB Jahdae Barron recently agreed to his rookie deal. He signed a four-year, $20 million contract with Denver.
Now, 31 of the 32 first-round draft picks in the 2025 draft class have signed with their respective teams. Only Cincinnati’s Shemar Stewart has not signed his rookie deal yet. This is because the Bengali people refused to give Stewart a total guarantee of $18.9 million. However, their first-round picks were fully guaranteed for deals in 2023 and 2024. The Bengals’ curveball is why Shemar Stewart is still drafted by his team unsigned.
When will the deadlock between Shemal Stewart and the Bengals end?
Broncos first round CB Jahdae Barron agrees to rookie contract; Bengal Shemar Stewart pic.twitter.com/x0due78qnx
– Around the NFL (@aroundthenfl) July 16, 2025
In the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bangladean chose Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M. He played for the Aggies for three seasons before being taken away by Cincinnati. Three months after the 2025 NFL Draft, Stewart is the only first-round draft pick to not sign a rookie deal. Although no agreement has been reached, Stewart is still preparing for the upcoming season. NFL insider Kelsey Conway reported that Stewart has been working out at the Texas A&M facility.
This is not something that concerns Bangladeshi fans. Rumors are that Stewart can try to return to his senior season. This probably won’t happen, Stewart plays the Bangladeshi’s rookie year. The reason Stewart didn’t sign is that Cincinnati won’t be fully guaranteed for his rookie deal.
Shemar Stewart is only 0.5 away from recording 5 college sacks. Why doesn’t he want to go back and take care of the unfinished business?
– Willie Lutz (@Willie_Lutz) July 15, 2025
In negotiations with the team, the Bangladeshi added new language to his deal. They reportedly wanted to add a “default clause” that would allow the team to lose any future guarantees in case of Stewart’s trouble. This includes on-site action and off-court issues for suspensions. Cincinnati did not use this language in a deal with the last two first-round picks. Why add it to Stewart’s transaction?
Shemar Stewart insists that he is “100% correct” in this case. He is not trying to make a creepy deal, nor is the Bengals not doing anything for rookies in the past. Strangely, it took so long that Stewart had not signed it yet. The Bangladean rookie reported to training camp this Saturday. Stewart reported to Otas during the offseason, but did not participate in any live drills. Will the rookie show up this weekend?
