With Shemar Stewart, the Bengals aren’t the only team remaining to sign their first-round pick, but they are the dumbest. It would appear both sides are standing their ground, each taking somewhat unprecedented measures along the way. From what I gather, the Bengals are trying to unilaterally alter their contract language for first-round draft picks in their favor while offering no concessions.
Stewart, meanwhile, has gone so far as to not even practice without a contract, which is an extremely rare occurrence. Typically, draft picks sign practice waivers that protect them in the event of injury, but he has refused.