Quietly in the background, though, is second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. fighting for a starting gig next to Logan Wilson. Knight, who has made a point to learn from Joe Burrow as he goes, continues to make a push alongside new arrival Oren Burks, the veteran the Bengals signed in free agency.

Shemar Stewart's contract standoff with the Bengals won't lead to a 2026 NFL Draft re-do. Here's why the rookie's leverage is limited and a holdout is unlikely.

Here's the situation happening in Cincinnati regarding first-round pick Shemar Stewart and the Bengals. According to CBS Sports' John Breech, this is not a matter of money but instead about new language in his contract that would allow the Bengals to void Stewart's guarantee under certain situations.