Bengals’ wording in participation contract led to Shemar Stewart skipping OTAs

Camp is approaching with Stewart still unsigned.

Since the Cincinnati Bengals closed their OTAs, we haven’t heard much in terms of their ongoing contract negotiations with rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart. The two sides are still hung up on contract language regarding the voiding of guaranteed money.

Stewart was the only rookie not dealing with an injury who didn’t participate in spring camp and made his frustrations very public to the media. Stewart wound up leaving early, before the last day of the OTA program.

While some other rookies participated in their team’s workouts without their contracts signed, they all participated after signing injury waivers to protect them if they were to be injured while not under contract, but Stewart did not.

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and stated that Stewart opted not to sign the injury waiver because he didn’t feel it protected him as much as other agreements around the league.

“Generally, players will sign what’s known as a participation agreement that protects you if something were to happen, injury or otherwise, through the course of those practices here,” Pelissero said. “It would ensure that you’re taken care of financially.”

Each team has its own language in its participation agreements, and apparently, Stewart and his camp did not like what they read. Fellow rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight skipped the first day of OTAs before signing his injury waiver and hitting the practice field.

“Shemar Stewart didn’t want to sign the participation agreement that the Bengals had because of the way that theirs is worded,” said Pelissero. “Because every team has different language, it did not provide the same level of protection as other teams give their rookies.

“And in fact, he wasn’t alone in that. Demetrius Knight, their second-round pick, also didn’t practice on the first day with the Bengals because of the same issue. He ultimately showed up on Day 2. They got his contract done. But the argument in that case was, ‘Hey, I should be treated like all the other rookies around the NFL.’”

Worth noting: Knight’s contract isn’t completed, but he did sign the participation agreement.

Make no mistake about it, Stewart needs reps. With only 4.5 sacks in his collegiate career, he needs practice time to turn his potential into production. The fact that he could be called on to replace Trey Hendrickson ratchets the urgency up a notch.

With training camp just a few weeks away, we will have to see whether Stewart or the Bengals break from their stance to get a contract done.