The saga surrounding unsigned second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft has been ongoing since April. The main issue is that players are pushing for contracts with mostly guaranteed money, which is a first for second-rounders in NFL history.
Deals have started to be completed, and the Cincinnati Bengals just signed their second-round pick to a groundbreaking deal, which signals more momentum in the ongoing standoff.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Second-Round Rookie Linebacker Gets Historic Deal
As of now, 11 rookie second-round draft picks from the 2025 NFL Draft have not signed contracts with the teams that drafted them.
In the NFL, financial security is everything for players. A single injury or unexpected setback can derail a young career instantly. That’s why many second-round picks are pushing for contracts with significant guaranteed money.
As training camp nears, more dominoes are falling. Most recently, the Bengals signed their second-round pick, South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., to a historic deal.
Sources: The #Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing. It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four.
With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp… pic.twitter.com/Vfc44XKhCQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 19, 2025
The deal is a standard four-year rookie contract, but over 80% of the money is fully guaranteed at signing. As NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports, it’s the first time in NFL history that the No. 49 pick has guarantees in the fourth year of his contract.
This deal will ensure that Knight has complete security throughout his rookie deal, no matter how good or bad he ends up being for Cincinnati.
Watch the closing speed from Demetrius Knight (LB #17) on this strip sack pic.twitter.com/cHsCGh0QoG
— mike (@bengals_sans) April 29, 2025
While Knight has officially signed, the Bengals have another contract dispute with their first-round selection, Shemar Stewart, who still has not signed his rookie contract.
What Does Knight’s Contract Mean for Shemar Stewart?
It’s not often that a team’s first-round pick hasn’t signed their rookie contract as training camp starts. However, that’s the case for former Texas A&M defensive end Stewart, whom the Bengals selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Bengals rookies report to training camp today with Cincinnati’s first-round pick Shemar Stewart now being the lone unsigned first-round pick from this year’s draft class. pic.twitter.com/D6r5HrOryy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2025
Cincinnati reportedly has a clause in Stewart’s $18.94 million contract that states if he “defaults,” meaning if he is suspended or violates team rules, the guarantees of his contract in that specific season would be voided.
Read More: Texas A&M Head Coach Breaks Silence On Rumors Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart May Return to College Amid Contract Drama
Stewart has yet to sign with the Bengals, but Cincinnati’s willingness to sign Knight to a historic deal could signal positive momentum in Stewart’s negotiations. By offering Knight a groundbreaking contract with unprecedented guaranteed money for a second-round pick, the Bengals have shown they’re willing to make bold moves.
If they’re ready to do that for Knight, it stands to reason they could reach a similar agreement with Stewart, potentially ending the rookie contract drama.
