The Cincinnati Bengals, known across the NFL as one of the more frugal franchises when it comes to paying players, is involved in a pair of high-profile disputes. One is with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks last season and is looking for a contract extension that reflects the dominant season he had on the field.
The other is with the franchise’s first-round pick in the 2025 draft, Shemar Stewart. Stewart is looking for amended language in his rookie deal, and now, Bengals owner Mike Brown is finally revealing just what the language that’s causing the holdup is.
“A very peculiar thing. It’s not about money. It’s about the guarantee in the case of if he were to do something contrary to the discipline levels of the league. I don’t think that’s going to happen ever,” Brown said, according to Charlie Goldsmith.
“That’s what’s holding it up. It’s never happened as long as I can remember. His agent wants it to be if he acted in a terrible fashion — this is all hypothetical — something that rises to the level of going to prison, we’d be on the line for the guarantee.”
Fans reacted to the revelation on social media.
“Sounds like an agent looking to raise his profile at the expense of the Bengals and his client,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“If Brown is saying it’s only actions that leads you to prison than the parties should be able to agree. My bet is that’s not the position proposed by the parties,” one fan added.
“I get that the Bengals haven’t added this in previous years But why is this such a problem? Feels like this is common sense?” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Bengals eventually give in to Stewart’s demands.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.