Dysfunction at it's finest

[SunsetBengal]

Wow, this is helpful.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bengals-shemar-stewart-could-re-enter-nfl-draft-thanks-to-cba-loophole/ar-AA1GAW2g?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=16403fbe81b444da882871b94aa42709&ei=34

Quote:The Cincinnati Bengals enter camp with some looming questions. One is the contract status of star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is holding out in hopes of a new deal.

But, another is the status of rookie Shemar Stewart.

The Bengals selected Stewart 17th overall after a stellar career at Texas A&M. At the time, he was expected to be some insurance in case they weren't able to bring back Hendrickson.

However, Stewart decided to leave camp on Thursday due to his contract situation. As of now, he has not signed his deal, and the rookie has been frustrated by some language in the contract from the team.

In an interesting loophole, there is a path to Stewart sitting out the entire year, not signing a contract, and then re-entering the 2026 NFL Draft, as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio laid out.

Florio mentioned a few scenarios in general. One is that he could refuse to sign and demand a trade, and the other is that he could wait until right before Week 11 and still play in 2025. But the last two options are the most wonky ones.

"Third, he can refuse to sign at all until the 2026 draft begins. At that point, he'd re-enter the draft pool. During the 2026 draft, he could be drafted by any team except the Bengals. Fourth - and this is something that we contemplated during the 2025 draft both as to quarterback Shedeur Sanders and quarterback Quinn Ewers - Stewart could try to return to college for the upcoming season."


So, in theory, Stewart could sit out and re-enter the 2026 NFL Draft, which would be a crucial blow after the Bengals used a first-round pick on him.

Even more surprising is the fact that he could go back to college, but Florio says there are some legal battles that would have to be fought on that front.

Right now, there are some options for Stewart, and it will be interesting to see if the Bengals budge and end this holdout.