The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 first-round pick, former Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart, is reportedly holding out and has yet to sign his rookie contract, fueling controversy before he has even played a regular-season down with the team. The contract impasse, centered around certain clauses that could nullify guaranteed money, has kept Stewart away from offseason workouts and team activities.
During this ongoing standoff, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey became unexpectedly involved when he responded to the team’s signing of their own first-round rookie, Malaki Starks. Humphrey shared a social media post about Starks’ contract signing along with a cryptic comment that many interpreted as a critique of Stewart’s contract holdout.
Marlon Humphrey’s Ambiguous Remarks Stir Speculation
On Thursday, after the Ravens announced their agreement with Malaki Starks, Humphrey tweeted,
“Contract wasn’t signed but still practicing,”
Humphrey wrote.
This led observers to connect his words to Stewart, the only unsigned first-round pick in the AFC North not participating in offseason programs due to a contract dispute.
However, Humphrey later clarified his meaning in a follow-up tweet, explaining he targeted agents rather than Stewart directly. He stated,
“I actually was taking a shot at agents. Didn’t mean no disrespect to the Bengals player yall talking about lol,”
Humphrey wrote.
Insights from Former Champions and Broadcasters on the Bengals’ Situation
On Monday’s episode of Breakfast Ball, Mark Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion, weighed in on the controversy surrounding Stewart’s contract negotiations. Schlereth criticized the Bengals, noting the franchise’s failure to finalize the contract despite a standard rookie slotting system, and expressed concern over the language used to potentially disadvantage the player.
He remarked,
“Of course, it’s a bad look for the Bengals,”
Schlereth said.
“Your number one overall pick, it was a 17th overall pick, but your first round draft choice, you can’t come to an agreement on a contract that is completely slotted because of what, the language you want to get over on the player. It’s just a bad look for the Bengals and how they do business.”
Craig Carton, a veteran sports broadcaster, also spoke in support of Stewart’s decision to hold out. He emphasized the rookie’s insistence on contract language that matches what other rookies receive, specifically rejecting inclusion of a controversial “default trigger” clause.
Shemar Stewart’s Collegiate Performance and Contract Negotiation Context
Shemar Stewart played three seasons for the Texas A&M Aggies, participating in 37 games and recording notable defensive statistics including 65 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. These accomplishments contributed to his selection as the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The stalled contract negotiation appears focused on protecting the guaranteed money in Stewart’s rookie deal. This disagreement has led to his absence from critical offseason activities such as Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and practices, a situation unusual for first-round rookies.
Potential Impact and Outlook
This dispute highlights ongoing tension surrounding rookie contracts in the NFL, where players and teams often clash over contract language and guaranteed terms. As one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects, Stewart’s holdout could disrupt the Bengals’ plans for their defense and affect team chemistry early in the season.
Marlon Humphrey’s involvement, albeit indirect, adds fuel to the discussion by bringing attention to how these contract disputes resonate among players across the league. Moving forward, a resolution will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as it may influence future rookie contract negotiations and team–player relations within the AFC North and beyond.