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Former Super Bowl winning executive comes to the Bengals' defense over Shemar Stewart's holdout

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 8:03 AM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals and Shemar Stewart are still not on the same page. Training camp is only one day away, and Stewart is no closer to signing his rookie contract than he was weeks ago.

It's not about the value of the contract, rather the language within in that can potential void future guarantees if Stewart triggers defaults under certain circumstances. It's new language for Bengals contracts, but not for other contracts around the NFL.

But don't take my word for it when you can take the word of a former NFL executive who helped build two Super Bowl-winning rosters.

Former NFL exec has Bengals' back in Shemar Stewart conflict

Jake Rosenberg spent 12 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, operating three different roles with the club. He was the team's director of football administration when Philly won its first Super Bowl in 2017, and he was promoted to vice president of football administration in 2018. He helped manage the Eagles' salary cap, contract negotiations, and other duties alongside general manager Howie Roseman up until he left in 2024, the offseason prior to Philly's second Super Bowl championship. He's now the founder of The Athlete Group, which provides football administration services to top college football programs.

In terms of individuals who are well-versed in the issues at hand between the Bengals and Stewart, Rosenberg fits the bill. He also understands Cincinnati's point of view completely.

Rosenberg took to X/Twitter Monday evening and claimed the change in default language is not an issue worth holding out over.

Few points on CIN/ Stewart-
-What they’re asking isn’t unusual - it’s just a change
-It’s easier to take player side when fighting for upside- not protection of downside
-Even if guarantees void-$ can still be earned if on team- obv based on play

Not issue to hold out over.
— Jake Rosenberg (@jakerosenberg33) July 21, 2025

The standoff between Cincinnati and Stewart took on further life Monday when Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin and president Mike Brown defended their offer and treatment of Stewart in negotiations.

"I don't blame Shemar," Tobin said. "He's listening to the advice he's paying for. I don't understand the advice, I don't agree with it. I'm not the one paying for it. But that's where it is. If I thought we were treating him unfairly it would be a different story, but we're treating him fairly with all the rest of draft picks in this year's draft."

Stewart's agent, Zac Hiller, turned to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio not long after Tobin's statement and asserted that Tobin hasn't been a part of the negotiations.

Regardless of Tobin's involvement, he represents the Bengals in the matter and defended his team's process. Rosenberg has no such association with Cincinnati and is now out of the NFL entirely.

He has no incentive to take one side or the other, but sees the Bengals as the side in the right.

I understand hating that it’s a downgrade in language from a prior year. But when you take it in its totality- and that it’s not a difference in total cash- he can be pissed and remember for next deal…but get to work.

Defaulting is 100% in player’s control. Don’t do it.
— Jake Rosenberg (@jakerosenberg33) July 21, 2025

The longer this holdout persists, the more attention it will garner from the national stage. Stewart is the last first-round pick without a contract, and as more second-rounders put pen-to-paper, he's getting closer and closer to being the last unsigned draft pick altogether.

Bengals training camp officially begins Wednesday, and rookies originally reported this past Saturday. Stewart cannot report without a signed deal, so the clock is only ticking faster.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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