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 .

With the Bengals and first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart dug in over a misguided effort by the team to change an obscure potion of the team's boilerplate contract language without offering a corresponding concession,

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.