Shemar Stewart made headlines in the NFL for months because he refused to sign his rookie contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. With plenty of delay, however, the parties found each other.
On Friday, Stewarts Agent announced in an interview with “ESPN” reporter Adam Schefter that his client agreed with the Bengals on a fully guaranteed contract. The defensive end will cut $ 18.97 million in the next four years, with $ 10.4 million being paid out as a signing bonus.
By the way, this bonus moved Stewart to give in. Previously, the 21-year-old refused to sign his signature because he was bothered by a clause that could invalid future guarantees. In the end, however, he accepted it because Cincinnati, according to “NFL Network” insider Ian Rapoport, increased his signing bonus by $ 500,000 and will already pay it out and not only next December.
Thanks to this agreement, Stewart can finally take part in the Bengals training camp. This year’s first round pick has already missed the OTAs and the mandatory minimp due to the patient situation.
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NFL: Bengal owner defends the procedure
With his refusal to sign the contract, Stewart apparently also attracted the anger of Bengals owner Mike Brown. “We have been here for a long time, something like that has never happened and that delays this contract. In our view, it is stupidity. It should simply be done,” the NFL veteran rumbled on Monday during the annual media lunch.
The owner also defended his team’s procedure by reducing the explosive contractual clause and explaining when it would be used.
“I think if he had done something that really caused a punishment, he would have guaranteed the entire contract and we would say: ‘Well, he is not guaranteed if you have done something at this level.’ In this case we would intervene and withdraw the guarantees, “said Brown. “I don’t want to pay this salary to anyone who could hypothetically end up in prison for four years.”