The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a season in which they failed to make the NFL Playoffs, despite boasting a lethal duo in Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. It was their defense that struggled mightily at times throughout the year. Still, they came close to squeaking into postseason play.
Off the field, Joe Burrow has found himself at the center of a media frenzy, as rumors swirl about a possible relationship with model Olivia Ponton—who is also reportedly his employee. Speculation began earlier in the week, and the two were recently seen exiting the same vehicle, further fueling the gossip.
Meanwhile, on the football side, concern is starting to emerge. The Bengals’ first-round draft pick, Shemar Stewart, sat out of rookie camp and has yet to sign his contract. For now, that’s not a great sign. When asked about the situation, Stewart kept it simple: he just didn’t sign the papers.
“Stewart told reporters that he ‘decided not to sign those papers’ and preferred to be an active participant instead of a passive one,” Ben Baby wrote.
Stewart and his teammate Demetrius Knight Jr. are currently the only two players in the entire NFL holding out of rookie camp due to unsigned contracts. The Bengals are still high on Stewart’s potential.
“We’re fired up about Shemar, great young man… He really fits into our locker room… His relentlessness. We anticipate getting a lot of production,” head coach Zac Taylor said.
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Cincinnati needed a pass rusher, and they got one in Stewart—it’s now just a matter of when he’ll take the field. The rookie is expected to make a huge impact, but this isn’t the typical start to an NFL career.
The Bengals aren’t concerned about the holdout just yet, but if it drags on, it could become a problem. As of now, there’s no timetable for the contract to be signed. There are no signs of tension between Stewart and the organization—but that may not last forever.
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