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 .

The implementation of a rookie wage scale in 2011 has largely ended contract holdouts of draft picks, with a couple of exceptions.

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.