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

For the reason that Cincinnati Bengals closed their OTAs, we haven’t heard a lot by way of their ongoing contract negotiations with rookie defensive finish Shemar Stewart. The 2 sides are nonetheless hung up on contract language relating to the voiding of assured cash.

Stewart was the one rookie not coping with an harm who didn’t take part in spring camp and made his frustrations very public to the media. Stewart wound up leaving early, earlier than the final day of the OTA program.

Whereas another rookies participated of their staff’s exercises with out their contracts signed, all of them participated after signing harm waivers to guard them in the event that they have been to be injured whereas not underneath contract, however Stewart didn’t.

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero appeared on the Wealthy Eisen Present and said that Stewart opted to not signal the harm waiver as a result of he didn’t really feel it protected him as a lot as different agreements across the league.

“Usually, gamers will signal what’s generally known as a participation settlement that protects you if one thing have been to occur, harm or in any other case, by way of the course of these practices right here,” Pelissero stated. “It will be certain that you’re taken care of financially.”

Every staff has its personal language in its participation agreements, and apparently, Stewart and his camp didn’t like what they learn. Fellow rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight skipped the primary day of OTAs earlier than signing his harm waiver and hitting the observe discipline.

“Shemar Stewart didn’t need to signal the participation settlement that the Bengals had due to the way in which that theirs is worded,” stated Pelissero. “As a result of each staff has totally different language, it didn’t present the identical degree of safety as different groups give their rookies.

“And actually, he wasn’t alone in that. Demetrius Knight, their second-round choose, additionally didn’t observe on the primary day with the Bengals due to the identical concern. He finally confirmed up on Day 2. They obtained his contract accomplished. However the argument in that case was, ‘Hey, I must be handled like all the opposite rookies across the NFL.’”

Value noting: Knight’s contract isn’t accomplished, however he did signal the participation settlement.

Make no mistake about it, Stewart wants reps. With solely 4.5 sacks in his collegiate profession, he wants observe time to show his potential into manufacturing. The truth that he could possibly be known as on to interchange Trey Hendrickson ratchets the urgency up a notch.

With coaching camp just some weeks away, we should see whether or not Stewart or the Bengals break from their stance to get a contract accomplished.