Stewart has several options and he could quickly turn into the Bengals' (and NFL's) worst nightmare if he decides to go with a nuclear option of re-entering the draft next year, a process that is outlined in article 6 of the CBA .

The Bengals are playing games with their first-round pick Shemar Stewart so analysts are projecting trades for him and one included the Bucs.

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart has the option to enter the 2026 NFL Draft if he doesn't sign a deal with the team.

Enter 2026 NFL Draft

The absolute worst-case scenario (which won't happen) between the Bengals and Shemar Stewart involves the 2026 draft.

The implementation of a rookie wage scale in 2011 has largely ended contract holdouts of draft picks, with a couple of exceptions.

Bengals first-rounder Shemar Stewart remains unsigned and not participating in minicamp due to an unusual contract language squabble with the team

So, in theory, Stewart could sit out and re-enter the 2026 NFL Draft, which would be a crucial blow after the Bengals used a first-round pick on him. Even more surprising is the fact that he could go back to college, but Florio says there are some legal battles that would have to be fought on that front.

Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart skipped the final day of the team’s mandatory minicamp practice as he remains in a contract dispute with the club.