Nonetheless unsigned, Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart does not report

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive finish Shemar Stewart didn’t report back to coaching camp with the remainder of the crew’s rookies on Saturday. He’s the lone first-round decide on this yr’s draft class who has not signed his rookie deal.

Stewart, the seventeenth total pick of Texas A&M, didn’t take part in any of the offseason exercises due to a contract dispute over the language that might doubtlessly void the assured cash in his deal. Earlier than Saturday, Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight, the crew’s second-round decide, have been the one members of Cincinnati’s six-person class who had not inked their rookie offers.

Nevertheless, Knight made his deal official on Saturday afternoon forward of the beginning coaching camp. The distinction within the particulars is notable and exhibits the hole in Stewart’s negotiation. In line with a supply aware of the negotiations, the share of Knight’s signing bonus that was paid up entrance was not supplied to Stewart. Knight’s signing bonus is projected at $3.2 million, based on OverTheCap.com. Stewart is projected to obtain a signing bonus of $10.4 million.

Earlier within the week, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko mentioned on “SportsCenter” that Stewart has no intentions of returning to varsity to play for the Aggies. Below the present collective bargaining settlement between the NFL Gamers Affiliation and the NFL, the crew that drafted a participant retains their rights via the next yr’s draft. Since Stewart declared for the draft after his junior yr, he would wish to seemingly sue the NCAA with the intention to achieve his remaining yr of eligibility.

Cincinnati’s veterans are set to report on Tuesday, someday earlier than the crew begins its coaching camp in downtown Cincinnati.