The Bengals Face a Crucial Contract Conundrum

The Cincinnati Bengals and defensive end Shemar Stewart are embroiled in a frustrating contract dispute centered around a specific clause concerning guaranteed money. In straightforward terms, the Bengals want it clarified that any breach in the contract should invalidate all future guarantees.

An Obvious Solution That’s Being Ignored

Insiders suggest that the Bengals believe the existing contract language already covers these concerns. A logical solution would be for the team to adopt the language from last year’s deal signed by tackle Amarius Mims, the 18th overall pick of the draft.

Stubbornness Over Simplicity

However, the Bengals insist on modifying the terms of the contract for Stewart, who was picked 17th in the 2025 draft. This shift in policy is puzzling, especially since they have an established precedent.

Negotiation With a Twist

To create the change they desire, the Bengals could simply adjust another term related to Stewart’s contract, such as tweaking the signing bonus payout schedule. By doing this, they could negotiate a mutually agreeable solution.

Consequences of Mishandling the Situation

But so far, the Bengals are sticking to their guns, leading to Stewart missing all of the offseason training. If a resolution isn’t reached soon, he could also miss a portion of training camp, which would leave him ill-prepared for the crucial Week 1 matchup.

A Lesson from the Past

This stubbornness could have serious consequences. Historically, teams have learned that losing just one game can jeopardize playoff potential, a hard lesson the Bengals faced last season.

Why Complication Reigns Over Simplicity

The irony here is that this contract issue appears to have a straightforward solution, yet the Bengals’ tendency towards complexity means the resolution could remain elusive. Fans are left wondering why a simple fix is being overlooked in favor of stubborn negotiation tactics.