Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said Thursday he isn't expecting Shemar Stewart to play for the Aggies again, shutting down speculation that the first-round edge rusher could go back to college football amid a contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals selected Stewart 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the 21-year-old remains unsigned. Stewart, who left Cincinnati's minicamp due to his contract situation, has been working out in College Station alongside former Texas A&M teammates.
"There's no intentions of Shemar to play for the Aggies this year," Elko told ESPN's Shae Cornette, via ESPN's Ben Baby. "But Shemar has been around. He's very comfortable in our program. Really likes what we do training-wise. He's been training, getting ready for his season this year with the Bengals. We wish him the best."
The disagreement between the Bengals and Stewart reportedly stems from a clause Cincinnati wants to include in the first-rounder's rookie deal that would allow the team to void future guarantees under certain conditions. That language apparently wasn't included in Amarius Mims' rookie contract after the Bengals drafted him in the first round in 2024.
Stewart technically left Texas A&M with one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. However, if a player enters the NFL draft before his college eligibility has expired and is selected, he's likely "jeopardized his NCAA eligibility," an NCAA official told Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
If Stewart doesn't play in the NFL or another pro league this season, he would be eligible for the 2026 draft, and the Bengals wouldn't be allowed to select him.
"Everyone's goal is to play in the NFL. Shemar was so excited to be drafted by Cincinnati. Hopefully, he gets an opportunity to be a part of that city," Stewart's agent, Zac Hiller, said in a statement, per Maske.
The Bengals have until Week 10 of the regular season to sign Stewart to his rookie contract, or he'd be ineligible to play this campaign, Maske notes. In that case, Cincinnati would still retain the right to ink the pass-rusher to an NFL contract until the 2026 draft.
Cincy's defense could use help after ranking 25th in points allowed in 2024, which contributed to the team missing the playoffs despite boasting one of the league's best offenses.
Stewart put on a show at the NFL combine to bolster his draft stock, overcoming an unimpressive total of 4.5 sacks across three seasons at Texas A&M.
