Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has firmly addressed the swirling rumors regarding former Aggie defensive end Shemar Stewart. Stewart, who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is not expected to return to the university for the upcoming season. In an interview with ESPN's Shae Cornette, Elko stated, "There’s no intentions of Shemar to play for the Aggies this year." He emphasized that Stewart has maintained a connection with the program, expressing his comfort with the training regimen and focusing on preparing for his professional career with the Bengals.
Stewart's focus on his upcoming season is particularly important as he and the Bengals are currently embroiled in a contract dispute. The core of this conflict revolves around a clause in his rookie deal that allows the Bengals to void guaranteed money should Stewart engage in conduct deemed detrimental to the team. This includes scenarios such as injury sustained during prohibited activities or any criminal offense. As the negotiations continue, Stewart has voiced his concerns regarding the fairness of the updated clause, pointing out that the Bengals had used different language for similar situations involving previous first-round picks.
In June, Stewart expressed his frustration, stating, “Trying to implement something new, to me, is unfair. And I feel like I’ve been nothing but fair. I’m not asking for nothing crazy. I could understand if I was asking for more on my signing bonus, which I’m not. (The Bengals) trying to do all of this is crazy.” This ongoing impasse has led to speculation among fans about the possibility of Stewart opting to return to Texas A&M for his final year of college eligibility. However, Elko’s recent comments have clarified that the Aggies do not anticipate this happening.
Meanwhile, the Bengals face their own challenges as they have yet to secure a long-term contract extension with All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson, who had a standout season last year leading the NFL in sacks with 17.5, is in the final year of his contract signed in 2023. Despite his stellar performance, the Bengals have been reluctant to meet his demands for a more lucrative, long-term deal. Hendrickson addressed the situation in May, stating, “I’m not going to apologize for the rates of the defensive ends being paid in the National Football League.”
With the recent extension of Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, the financial landscape for defensive players could be shifting, potentially affecting both Stewart and Hendrickson's futures. As the Bengals rookies are set to report for training camp, the urgency surrounding Stewart’s contract situation remains a significant concern. With practice beginning Wednesday, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring developments regarding both the rookie's contract and the team’s overall strategy for the upcoming season.