From what I have read. The language the Bengals are trying to include, is the same language mostly every other team in the NFL uses in their contracts.  The Bengals are now trying to have that same language in theirs, and Stewart doesn’t like that. Last years pick in Mims didn’t have that language. So Stewart feels like since he was one pick higher, that he shouldn’t have to have that language then. Even though all kinds of picks ahead of him, use that same language. 
 

So the Bengals are actually trying to do the same thing as everyone else, but was a year or two behind in adding it. So now they are in a very difficult spot. If they give in to Stewart, then probably all draft picks in the future will fight to avoid that language, even though other teams use that same language. So the Bengals almost have to stand their ground on this, or else future picks with fight this too. 

Imagine that, the Bengals late to the party again, to the detriment of the franchise.

7 hours ago, futurecoach said:

From what I have read. The language the Bengals are trying to include, is the same language mostly every other team in the NFL uses in their contracts.  The Bengals are now trying to have that same language in theirs, and Stewart doesn’t like that. Last years pick in Mims didn’t have that language. So Stewart feels like since he was one pick higher, that he shouldn’t have to have that language then. Even though all kinds of picks ahead of him, use that same language. 
 

So the Bengals are actually trying to do the same thing as everyone else, but was a year or two behind in adding it. So now they are in a very difficult spot. If they give in to Stewart, then probably all draft picks in the future will fight to avoid that language, even though other teams use that same language. So the Bengals almost have to stand their ground on this, or else future picks with fight this too. 

If this is the case, why would Stewart be taking such a “line in the sand” stance?Welcome to the NFL and get along with your career.

Why wouldn't the Bengals say this is a clause in every NFL contract? This is where they shoot themselves in the foot by being so tight lipped.

3 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Why wouldn't the Bengals say this is a clause in every NFL contract? This is where they shoot themselves in the foot by being so tight lipped.

Just read that Bengals payout their signing bonuses on a staggered basis, not 100% upfront and this might be part of the problem?  Not sure as to the accuracy of this.  But, I am guessing that Mike Brown’s rep might have given Stewart a little pause in jeopardizing future guarantees based on the vagaries of interpreting what might be violations.

4 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

If this is the case, why would Stewart be taking such a “line in the sand” stance?Welcome to the NFL and get along with your career.

Since he was drafted sooner than last year first round pick for the Bengals. He doesn’t feel like he should have language in his that technically hurts more than a guy the Bengals picked later than him last year. If they didn’t do that with Mims when other teams started using that language, he doesn’t feel like he should then be the first for the Bengals. Which for Stewart’s agents angle, they are playing it smart because they know how negatively the Media views the Bengals. So trying to use that against them. So this potentially could be bad, because I don’t see the Bengals giving in either. As they really can’t, or else all draft picks with do the same. 
 

I do think Stewart eventually will agree to it. Only because he loses millions if he doesn’t sign, and say enters the draft again next year. Almost guarantee he wouldn’t be a first rounder next year then, after sitting out a year and teams seeing him willing to sit out wouldn’t be a good look. 

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

Why wouldn't the Bengals say this is a clause in every NFL contract? This is where they shoot themselves in the foot by being so tight lipped.

Agreed. The Bengals do themselves no favors a lot of times in these situations. 

6 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

I do think Stewart eventually will agree to it. Only because he loses millions if he doesn’t sign, and say enters the draft again next year. Almost guarantee he wouldn’t be a first rounder next year then, after sitting out a year and teams seeing him willing to sit out wouldn’t be a good look. 

This is my wishful thinking, he could sit out based on principle but chances are it will cost him big in the end.  

2 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Since he was drafted sooner than last year first round pick for the Bengals. He doesn’t feel like he should have language in his that technically hurts more than a guy the Bengals picked later than him last year. If they didn’t do that with Mims when other teams started using that language, he doesn’t feel like he should then be the first for the Bengals. Which for Stewart’s agents angle, they are playing it smart because they know how negatively the Media views the Bengals. So trying to use that against them. So this potentially could be bad, because I don’t see the Bengals giving in either. As they really can’t, or else all draft picks with do the same. 
 

I do think Stewart eventually will agree to it. Only because he loses millions if he doesn’t sign, and say enters the draft again next year. Almost guarantee he wouldn’t be a first rounder next year then, after sitting out a year and teams seeing him willing to sit out wouldn’t be a good look. 

This is where the Bengals should be smarter in the media to improve their image, but it seems like they don't care. The Bengals should make it known that Stewart is asking for language in his contract that is different from every other team and draft pick in the NFL. Stewart is the one asking for something different. It isn't the Bengals asking for something different. I wonder if Stewart even knows this. He is probably regurgitating what his agents are feeding him. If the public knows Stewart is the one asking for something different, I think public opinion swings in the Bengals favor.

3 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

This is where the Bengals should be smarter in the media to improve their image, but it seems like they don't care. The Bengals should make it known that Stewart is asking for language in his contract that is different from every other team and draft pick in the NFL. Stewart is the one asking for something different. It isn't the Bengals asking for something different. I wonder if Stewart even knows this. He is probably regurgitating what his agents are feeding him. If the public knows Stewart is the one asking for something different, I think public opinion swings in the Bengals favor.

I was told it was the complete opposite the Bengals put something different in his contract.

1 hour ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I was told it was the complete opposite the Bengals put something different in his contract.

I've been researching this. The language Stewart is objecting to is in the contracts of the players drafted before and after Stewart. It isn't language unique to the Bengals. What is unusual is that the Bengals did not have the language in last year's rookie contracts, and that is what Stewart is contending. He is saying the language in his contract this year should be the same language the Bengals used last year regardless of what other teams in the NFL are doing.

When has transparency ever been a negative? 

9 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

I've been researching this. The language Stewart is objecting to is in the contracts of the players drafted before and after Stewart. It isn't language unique to the Bengals. What is unusual is that the Bengals did not have the language in last year's rookie contracts, and that is what Stewart is contending. He is saying the language in his contract this year should be the same language the Bengals used last year regardless of what other teams in the NFL are doing.

If that is the case this is 95% or more on Stewart. 

6 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I was told it was the complete opposite the Bengals put something different in his contract.

Different from what bengals usually do for contracts, yes. Not different from contracts all other NFL teams are doing. So it’s not like the Bengals are doing anything crazy. They are actually just trying to things the same as everyone else.

10 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Different from what bengals usually do for contracts, yes. Not different from contracts all other NFL teams are doing. So it’s not like the Bengals are doing anything crazy. They are actually just trying to things the same as everyone else.

Any truth to Bengals payout bonuses on a different time schedule?  Rarely 100% upfront and more a staggered basis, and this creates more vulnerability for Stewart?  Speeding tickets, unsubstantiated claims of abuse, disorderly conduct, actions detrimental to the organization….really hard to specify what will create contract issues for a young NFL player.  Kind of makes the Bengals reputation for fairness(?) to be considered before you make yourself subjectively this vulnerable.