Stewart is signed!

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(07-25-2025, 08:02 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote:

The Bengals gave Shemar Stewart an extra $550K of guaranteed money in addition to the 50 percent of his signing bonus they give to their first round picks as compromise for the new language they are adding to the contract

— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) July 25, 2025

Honestly I think both sides ended up looking bad in the end. Squabbling over peanuts in the grand scheme of things.

Probably, but you also have to keep in mind... Stewart is part of a union. You don't want to be the guy who accepts reduced terms in exchange for nothing, because then you've set the precedent that everyone after you should also accept reduced terms in exchange for nothing. Now the precedent is that in exchange for those terms being worse, you get more money.

Just look at how much more guaranteed money QBs have been getting since the Watson deal. It didn't give them fully guaranteed, but it sure as hell gave them a whole lot more. Every move like this is setting up you and others for the next move. Accepting a loss and getting nothing in return is how you start backsliding.

The early 2nd round picks this year getting fully guaranteed contracts have set it up for future early 2nd round picks. It also made it better for guys later down like Knight who got the most guaranteed for his pick. All about precedent.