It is finally over.
Friday evening, the Cincinnati Bengals and first round pick Shemar Stewart (finally) agreed to a deal, getting the 18th overall pick in the fold three days in to training camp.
The four-year deal is fully guaranteed, and Stewart receives a $10.4 million signing bonus, bringing an end to the messy and publicly held holdout.
It appears that the Bengals retained the default language they wanted in the contract in exchange for Stewart receiving a larger signing bonus. This is similar to how they got a deal done with Demetrius Knight Jr.
The Bengals gave Shemar Stewart an extra $550K of guaranteed money in addition to the 50 percent of his signing bonus they give to their first round picks as compromise for the new language they are adding to the contract
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) July 25, 2025
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news.
Dying to know who broke in the Shemar Stewart Cold War
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) July 25, 2025
Shemar Stewart’s contract holdout by the numbers:
-6 weeks of missed offseason program on-field work
-3 missed camp practicesSunday begins the catchup for No. 97
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 25, 2025
If Shemar is good ignore all my previous tweets lol. I’m glad he’s in the fold but I still don’t believe he has a major impact year 1
— Honcho Da Annoyed Bengals fan (@Honcho_WhoDey) July 25, 2025
Shemar Stewart has reportedly agreed to a deal and Jerry Montgomery can’t wait to work with him. The #Bengals D-line coach says Shemar was among the most talented players in this year’s draft.
“I’m saying top five,” said Montgomery “He was the most explosive player in the draft.” pic.twitter.com/JDoN2CFado— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 25, 2025
Thank you Shemar Stewart and Zac Hiller for an amazing summer.
Both are absolute first ballot ESPN1530 Ring of Honor inductees.
(And an extra tip o’ the cap to the Friday evening before a players’ off day news dump.)
Now go have a strong rookie season. https://t.co/KwoJHwtUka
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) July 25, 2025
Alright, we know the rules.
Contract drama and shitty agent be damned, Shemar Stewart is officially a Bengal and the only play is to root for his success.
— Drew Garrison (@DrewGarrison) July 25, 2025
The Bengals need more from their pass rush this year, and Shemar Stewart was the biggest external addition that the defense added this season.
The team is banking on getting a lot out of him. But when the Bengals drafted him, the big talking point was where he was at as a pass…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 25, 2025
Ordering my Shemar Stewart jersey ASAP, hyped for what he’ll bring
— Landon Belote (@Landon_Belote) July 25, 2025
I just got off the phone with @TheRealCoachMoe, who is Shemar’s father, and he said the Bengals showed a willingness to compromise this week to get something done.
This showed Stewart’s camp something and they decided they would compromise also.
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) July 25, 2025
50% would have been $5.2M now, $5.2M in December. Now: $5.7M today, $4.8M in December.
One of the sillier holdouts-for both sides-finally ends, and Stewart can start playing catchup. Squabbling over virtually nothing in the end. And the cost is several weeks of time on task. https://t.co/ZMBTI1FNMJ
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) July 25, 2025
It’s over. Finally. Good for Shemar, who was a victim in many ways as part of this. Now, he can start his career and leave this unnecessary mess behind. https://t.co/HnZ3ZKteDf
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 25, 2025
There you go Shemar Stewart!
Now fire your agent!
— Barstool Cincinnati (@UCBarstool) July 25, 2025
Thank God… now let’s play football…
Fire him still Shemar…. https://t.co/3HYoEkfzmD
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) July 25, 2025
Stewart’s agent certainly hasn’t made many friends in Cincinnati, but fans seem excited to have the Bengals’ first round pick under contract.
Stewart will hopefully get his first practice with the Bengals on Sunday, and now, the focus will turn to how quickly they can get Trey Hendrickson into town.
Maybe, just maybe, the Bengals can get their contract drama solved before August.