Williams: Here's how Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati Bengals stalemate can end

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Subject: Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati Bengals stalemate

Message: You've been quiet so far on the Shemar Stewart situation and curious to get your take. Nothing the Bengals do and say feels genuine, and I've lost faith in the front office truly caring about winning. The bottom line is the only thing that matters to them. Are you in the just shut-up-and-play camp or does Shemar have a genuine gripe?

Reply: Yes, Stewart should "just shut up and play." Yes, the rookie defensive end has a genuine gripe about the morals-clause language in his contract. The Bengals also have every right to do what most other NFL teams do and put that language in the contract.

For the Bengals, the issue is the timing of them implementing such language (voiding a portion of guaranteed money if a player gets in trouble with the law) in rookie contracts for the first time given the state of their defense after last season and that Trey Hendrickson's contract status remains in limbo.

Nonetheless, training camp started Wednesday. Stewart wasn't there. It's officially a distraction for a team that needs to drastically improve on defense to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 – and especially needs help rushing the quarterback.

The Bengals aren't going to budge. It's up to Stewart to break the stalemate ASAP, and he should consider one of two options:

1. Fire his agent, immediately sign the contract, say nothing publicly, get on the field, work his butt off to catch up and try to save face with the coaches, players and fans.
2. Look at his legal options to try to return to Texas A&M, play another season of college football and re-enter the NFL Draft in 2027.

The first option is the easiest route and probably Stewart's only legitimate way to get on the field this season.

Stewart doesn't necessarily have to fire his agent and can still sign the contract the Bengals are offering. At this point, though, Stewart's agent is doing him no favors. The firing could be a good public-relations move for Stewart and maybe help him do a re-set with the Bengals organization and fans. Bengals fans are angry at Stewart and his agent, and I don't blame anyone for being ticked at either side on this.

But Stewart is off to about as poor a start as maybe any player in Bengals history. The contract drama aside, Stewart was a potential bust the moment the Bengals made him the 17th overall pick in this year's draft. His career 4.5 sacks in college show he's a development player. The Bengals do not have a good track record of developing project-type players.

So Stewart was already being scrutinized entering the NFL. Then he decided not to participate in any preseason practices. He failed to report to training camp. Stewart and his agent have thrown shade at the Bengals in media interviews.

It's so bad right now, Stewart is risking getting booed by the home fans at Paycor Stadium if he doesn't play well out of the gate.

As for option 2, it'd be a Hail Mary. Once a player is drafted, he is not eligible to return to play college football. However, Stewart did enter the draft with still one year of college eligibility remaining. Several athletes have had recent success challenging NCAA rules in court. Lawsuits are why college athletes are now paid and can essentially transfer whenever they want without penalty.

Perhaps it'd be worth exploring. The fans in College Station will be much more forgiving.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How Shemar Stewart, Bengals contract stalemate can end