Shemar Stewart and guaranteed money for NFL rookies

[JT45242]

First remember that 1/2 or more of all first round picks are basically busts or such underachievers compared to the draft slot and money paid them in the first four years of the contract. Sometimes it is play. Sometimes it is off the field stuff. The Bengals want to remove guaranteed money for off the field issues.

Based on what is being leaked by both sides -- here is what the Bengals are demanding in the contract with Shemar Stewart

They want to be able to void the guaranteed money in the rookie deal if he...
1) Violates the league drug policy (cocaine, etc.)
2) Violated the PED policy (steroids etc)
3) Violates the league conduct policy and is put on the commissioner exempt list (gets arrested for a felony, video of domestic violence are the most common reason players have ended up on that list)

Unclear if they want a more broad "morals clause" or "conduct detrimental to the team" based on conflicting leaks/insider info from both sides.

I think most fans would say that #1-3 should allow a club to get out from under the guaranteed money. If a player would rather do drugs, get caught taking steroids, or engage in felony behaviors, then perhaps their ought to be economic consequences.

What I am wondering, is why this draft pick? Why now? Besides the complete lack of production in college as red flag, what do they know that they want this language that they did not seek out for the many first round draft busts they have had along the offensive and defensive line in the last 15 years since they drafted Eric Zeitler? If they were this concerned why would you draft a player who only had 4.5 sacks total in college in the first round?

Would the Bengals be winning the PR battle if they just said -- we want #1-3 as part of standard rookie contract? The Bengals and other teams have included this kind of language for free agents.

The league went to a rookie salary cap because of how much money was being absolutely wasted on guys with no track record who washed out.

[Magilla]

1. Mike Brown

Is trash. He used to put a clause in all contracts that players weren't allowed to badmouth him or the team.

[AZProgressive]

2. Many rookies tend to get hurt in the first training camp or preseason

That contributes to many of them turning into busts but I still think they deserve guaranteed money because the NFL is a dangerous sport.

[JT45242]

3. Found out over twenty teams already have this as standard language in rookie contracts

This is ESPN and the agent bashing the Bengals for what is SOP in most of the NFL.

But, facts might get in the way of the story.

I knew it was standard in free agent contracts, had not realized most of the NFL puts it in rookie contracts already.