The Cincinnati Bengals solved one contract issue this offseason by coming to terms with first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart. Another one looms even larger, however, as pass rusher Trey Hendrickson still has no extension as he enters the final year of his deal and is holding out of training camp.

If there’s one player who understands the importance of training camp practice in Cincinnati, it’s Amarius Mims. The Bengals selected Mims with the No.18 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft out of Georgia. Mims went on to start 13 games for the Bengals last season.

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft took place 88 days ago, and somehow, in that time, the Cincinnati Bengals have failed to work out a deal with their top pick, Shemar Stewart.  The pass-rusher from Texas A&M is the only remaining first-rounder who is still unsigned and if Monday was any indication,

HC Mike Elko emphasized that while Shemar Stewart has been working out in Texas A&M facility, his return his a "false narrative."

One comment in particular from Bengals’ director of player personnel Duke Tobin elicited a response from Stewart’s agent, Zac Hiller. Tobin questioned the advice the 23-year-old Stewart is getting from his agents. “Shemar is just listening to the advice he’s paying for (agents),” Tobin said Monday. “I don’t understand the advice.”