Stewart: Bengals just want to 'win arguments' amid contract talks

Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Stewart harshly criticized the Cincinnati Bengals' front office as he continues to sit out practice amid contract negotiations.

"I'm not asking for nothing y'all (the team) has never done before," Stewart said, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway. "But in y'all (the team's) case, y'all (the team) just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."

The Bengals are attempting to change the language in the first-round pick's contract that allows the team to void future guarantees, sources told Conway.

Stewart's camp is requesting a deal that is similar to what 2024 and 2023 first-round selections Amarius Mims and Myles Murphy, respectively, negotiated in past years.

The Texas A&M product confirmed Tuesday that he would not participate in practice until his contract is signed. Stewart has been attending team meetings and working out on his free time as he awaits a breakthrough in negotiations.

"I've been doing this for most of my whole life, and then all of a sudden it's gone over something very simple to fix. It's kind of disappointing," Stewart told reporters, including Jungle Roar Pod's Mike Petraglia.

Despite being frustrated over the lack of progress on his rookie deal, Stewart said the contentious negotiations have not soured him on the franchise.

"I'm not going to say that. I'm still new here. We still have a long future ahead of us," he said.

Stewart isn't the only Bengals pass-rusher sitting out practice during the team's mandatory minicamp this week. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson did not show up for the start of workouts amid his desire for a new deal entering the final year of his current contract.