Ben Child
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive finish Shemar Stewart didn't report back to coaching camp with the remainder of the group's rookies on Saturday. He's the lone first-round choose on this 12 months's draft class who has not signed his rookie deal.
Stewart, the seventeenth total select of Texas A&M, didn't take part in any of the offseason exercises due to a contract dispute over the language that would doubtlessly void the assured cash in his deal. Earlier than Saturday, Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight, the group's second-round choose, had 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 keeping with a supply conversant in the negotiations, the proportion of Knight's signing bonus that was paid up entrance was not provided 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 school to play for the Aggies. Below the present collective bargaining settlement between the NFL Gamers Affiliation and the NFL, the group that drafted a participant retains their rights via the next 12 months's draft. Since Stewart declared for the draft after his junior 12 months, he would want to probably sue the NCAA in an effort to acquire his remaining 12 months of eligibility.
Cincinnati's veterans are set to report on Tuesday, someday earlier than the group begins its coaching camp in downtown Cincinnati.
