CINCINNATI — Defensive end Shemar Stewart, the most prominent member of the Bengals’ 2025 draft class, watched from a distance during Tuesday’s voluntary workout in what has effectively turned into a hold-in situation.

A perceived alteration in the contract language for rookies is why Stewart, the 17th overall pick out of Texas A&M, has not done any on-field work since being drafted by the Bengals.

“I’m not asking for anything crazy,” Stewart told ESPN on Tuesday. “I’m not even asking for nothing. I just want things to be consistent. I just want consistent language as in the past contracts. I just won’t practice until I get that.”

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