Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart stuck without contract after Mike Brown’s jail comment

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown left fans and reporters in shock on July 21, 2025, during a press meet at the team’s training camp in Cincinnati, Ohio. He made a bold statement about rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, who still hasn’t signed his contract with the team.

While many thought the delay was about money, Mike Brown hinted at a much different reason. His comment about paying players who land in jail raised questions and created even more drama around the unsigned rookie. The wait continues as fans wonder if this will stop the deal completely.

What Mike Brown wants in Shemar Stewart’s contract

Mike Brown, who has owned the Cincinnati Bengals since 1991, said the issue with Shemar Stewart’s contract is not about cash. Instead, it’s about a clause the Cincinnati Bengals want to include. Mike Brown said on July 21 that he doesn’t want to pay a player who ends up in jail. “If we get a player who does something unacceptable, guess what? I don’t want to pay him. I really don’t,” he said while speaking to reporters.Mike Brown admitted that this type of clause is new and not something they’ve used before. He explained that Shemar Stewart is not in trouble but the team wants extra protection. Mike Brown said, “If he’s sitting in jail, I don’t think I have to pay him.”

He called it a “peculiar situation,” but said he still hopes to sign the rookie soon.

Shemar Stewart still training but missing camp

Shemar Stewart, 21, was picked 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M. Since June, he’s been training on his own in College Station, Texas. Stewart has not joined Bengals camp in Cincinnati, which began on July 23 at Kettering Health Practice Fields.Because he hasn’t signed, he can’t take part in team practices. Bengals director Duke Tobin said, “He’s listening to the advice he’s paying for. I don’t understand the advice.” Reports say Stewart’s contract also has fewer injury protections and bonus money than others drafted in similar spots.

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FAQs

Q1. Why hasn’t Shemar Stewart signed with the Bengals yet?

His contract talks are stuck over a special jail-related guarantee clause.

Q2. What did Mike Brown say about paying jailed players?

He said he doesn’t want to pay a player who is in jail.

Q3. When did Bengals training camp start?

Training camp started on July 23, 2025, in Cincinnati.