Cincinnati Bengals president slams Shemar Stewart contract dispute ‘foolishness’ as draft star heads back to college

CINCINNATI Bengals team president Mike Brown didn’t hold back about the Shemar Stewart contract situation.

Stewart, the Bengals’ No. 17 overall pick in this year’s draft, is the only first-round selection that has yet to sign a contract with his respective franchise.

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Stewart’s holdout has been believed to be due to the language in a potential rookie contract.

On Monday, the 89-year-old Brown confirmed that the dispute has been over the language concerning potential conduct detrimental to the team.

That scenario means Stewart’s guaranteed money can be voided, which is a clause the Bengals recently added that other teams have also implemented.

The situation caused Brown to address Stewart’s holdout bluntly.

“We’ve been here for a long time, it’s never happened, and that’s holding up this contract,” Brown told reporters via ESPN.

“From our vantage point, it’s a form of foolishness.

“It just ought to get done.”

Stewart hasn’t taken part in any workouts since being drafted by the Bengals in April.

The 21-year-old didn’t report with the team’s other rookies on Sunday.

The Bengals haven’t added additional language to the participation waiver that would’ve allowed Stewart to practice while the two sides negotiate a contract, a source told ESPN.

Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin said he believed Cincinnati was likely the last team to put the specific language into its contract.

While Tobin didn’t take a shot at Stewart, he called out the people advising the Texas A&M product.

“He’s listening to the advice that he’s paying for,” Tobin said.

“I don’t understand the advice.

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Stewart was drafted with the No. 17 overall pick in this year’s Draft in April[/caption]

“I don’t agree with it.

“I’m not the one paying for it, but that’s where it is.”

Stewart could have the option to declare for his senior year in college and re-enter the draft in 2016.

He would then be drafted by any team next year other than the Bengals.

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Stewart holding his jersey with head coach Zac Taylor[/caption]

Stewart has until November and Week 10 of the season to sign a contract with the Bengals.

He isn’t the only Bengals defensive end looking for a contract.

Four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson has been eyeing a long-term deal throughout the offseason.

Hendrickson reportedly won’t report to Bengals training camp, which begins on Tuesday.