The Cincinnati Bengals used their first-round draft pick in April to draft defensive end Shemar Stewart. It’s that time of the year when the rookies of the NFL get together for training camp. However, instead of signing his rookie contract, he is reportedly practicing with his former school, Texas A&M, and considering a return to college football.
According to reports from 247Sports’ Bud Elliott, Stewart has been “fully involved in workouts” at College Station this summer.
Warren Sharp shared this development on X:
“wait… so Bengals 1st round pick Shemar Stewart left the team & went back to school to practice with Texas A&M? and he might not play this year in the NFL, return to college instead and then enter the 2026 NFL draft???”
wait… so Bengals 1st round pick Shemar Stewart left the team & went back to school to practice with Texas A&M?
and he might not play this year in the NFL, return to college instead and then enter the 2026 NFL draft??? pic.twitter.com/WUdN6vDHzx
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 15, 2025
This shocking revelation has left fans in split as they weighed in on the bizarre situation.
“Bengals are such a joke lmfao,” one user posted bluntly.
Another user chimed in: “lmao, it’s the Bengals, I’d say f*** no too 🤣.”
Some fans questioned whether Stewart could even regain NCAA eligibility after signing with an agent.
“Yes, with the way NIL works I believe this is legal? Very odd times for college and pro sports,” one fan commented.
“He can’t return to NCAA. Learn rules, then tweet,” said Justin Wells.
@DraftBuzzHockey added: “Shemar is represented by LAA Sports so he technically shouldn’t be able to.”
Some say Stewart might be leveraging the NCAA angle purely for contract leverage.
“Uh yeah. Bengals are playing with his contract and this is a possible option,” wrote @nittygritty410.
“If this whole scenario actually plays out where Shemar Stewart is able to regain his eligibility to play in the NCAA — I wonder how much $$$ his attorney has asked for — then you have to put this decision by the Bengals among the worst draft picks of all time,” added @EDuerrwaechter.
One fan wrote: “It’s a simple clause that says ‘don’t f*** up by getting suspended or ejected on the field, and don’t get arrested off the field and you won’t lose money’ and somehow, people are against that 🤷🏼♂️,” wrote @TheReal_MrMeow.
Why Is Shemar Stewart Not Signing a Rookie Contract With the Bengals?
Shemar Stewart showed up at Bengals’ OTAs but didn’t participate in a single workout this spring. He appeared for minicamp but wasn’t involved in football-related activities. The reason? He has refused to sign his four-year, $18.94 million rookie contract that’s fully guaranteed.
He did so because the Bengals added a “default clause” in his contract that would prohibit him from cashing in on the guaranteed money if he gets in trouble, ranging from on-field conduct, off-field conduct, to even arrest.
“I’m 100 percent right,” Stewart said. “I’m not asking for nothing you all have never done before, but in you all case, you all just want to win an argument instead of winning more games.”
While he certainly cannot return to college, let’s see if both parties find common ground before the 2025 NFL preseason kicks off.
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