Bengals rookie Stewart leaves minicamp amid contract dispute

Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive lineman Shemar Stewart left mandatory minicamp early amid prolonged contract negotiations with the team.

The disagreement reportedly centers on a clause Cincinnati wants to include in the first-rounder's rookie deal that would allow the club to void future guarantees under certain conditions. The specific language apparently isn't in Amarius Mims' 2024 rookie deal, the Bengals' previous top pick.

Head coach Zac Taylor said Thursday he's had good communication with Stewart but wouldn't make any predictions for when he'll be on the practice field, per Joe Danneman of Fox19.

Stewart had been attending team activities but declined to practice without a deal. He said earlier this week that he feels the Bengals "just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."

"That's how he chose to do it, and that's his prerogative," Taylor said Thursday of Stewart's comments to the media. "We look forward to getting him back in the fold."

Taylor added: "He's been in the meetings. He's been positive in that way, he's been learning."

The Bengals drafted Stewart 17th overall in this year's draft out of Texas A&M.

Cincinnati is also without All-Pro edge Trey Hendrickson, who's entering the final year of his contract and seeking an extension.

The Bengals' defense finished bottom 10 in the NFL in yards and points allowed last season. Cincinnati also ranked 25th in sacks despite Hendrickson leading the league in quarterback takedowns individually.