The saga is finally over. Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart has officially signed his rookie deal after a dramatic holdout. According to ESPN, he inked a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million contract, which includes a $10.4 million signing bonus.

Stewart, the No. 17 overall choice in the 2025 NFL Draft, was the last of the first-rounders to finalize his rookie deal. His holdout wasn’t focused on the guarantee amount which is predetermined, but rather on the potential voiding of future guarantees, an issue absent from rookie contracts of previous Bengals first-round selections.

Additionally, he reportedly received ‘improved payout language’ that allowed him to feel secure enough to join his new teammates on the field. After some negotiation, Cincinnati agreed to move $500,000 of Stewart’s signing bonus upfront rather than waiting until December.

“I’m not asking for anything crazy,” Stewart told ESPN in May. “I just want things to be consistent with past contracts. I will not practice until I get that.”

In three seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart, viewed as a top pass rusher, accumulated 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. His holdout spurred speculation about his options, which included a possible trade or reentering the draft next year, but ultimately he returned to the Bengals.

As the Bengals now turn their attention to getting reigning NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson ready for training camp.