Bengals' leadership livid over Shemar Stewart holdout: ‘Needs to be here'
But while Cincinnati tries to level with Hendrickson the best it can to retain the All-Pro edge rusher, the Bengals' front office is singing a bit of a different tune when it comes to unsigned-rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart.
'I think Shemar needs to be here,' Bengals executive Duke Tobin said on Monday. 'I'm not going to blame Shemar. He is listening to the advice he is paying for. I don't understand or believe or agree with the advice but I'm not the one paying for it. If I felt we were treating him unfairly as it relates to all the other draft picks in this year's draft then maybe it would be a different story. But we are not. I don't really understand where things are there.'
4 Shemar Stewart is still unsigned after being drafted by the Bengals in April.
AP
Cincinnati selected Stewart with the No. 17 pick in April's NFL draft, but he has yet to sign his contract due to an issue he and his representatives have with the contract's guarantees.
In what's essentially a wild hypothetical, Stewart and his agency don't want the franchise to be able to take back any guaranteed money.
4 Bengals owner Mike Brown spoke on Stewart's situation and expressed his disagreement in Stewart's stance.
@FOX19joe/X
'A very peculiar thing. It's not about money. It's about the guarantee in the case of if he were to do something contrary to the discipline levels of the league,' Brown said. 'I don't think that's going to happen ever. That's what's holding it up. It's never happened as long as I can remember. His agent wants it to be if he acted in a terrible fashion — this is all hypothetical — something that rises to the level of going to prison, we'd be on the line for the guarantee.
'If we get a player who does something unacceptable, guess what? I don't want to pay him. I really don't. If he's sitting in jail, I don't think I have to pay him.'
4 The Bengals selected Stewart with the 17th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
AP
As a rookie, Stewart is supposed to have already reported to training camp. However, he posted to his Instagram story Monday a photo where he is working out with his former teammates at his alma mater, Texas A&M.
Also dealing with the All-Pro edge rusher Hendrickson's contract dispute, the Bengals' front office had its hands full responding to the media Monday.
4 Stewart posted a photo showing that he is back at Texas A&M rather than in Cincinnati.
Shemar Stewart/Instagram
While progress seems to be being made with Hendrickson, neither side looks to want to compromise in Stewart's situation.
'We're sitting here arguing over something that is pretty remote, I ask myself sometimes why the hell we're doing it,' Brown said. 'But we are, and he's doing it too and at some point, we've got to put this stuff behind.'
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USA Today
13 minutes ago
- USA Today
Top Five Challengers to Penn State in the Big Ten
It is no surprise that the Nittany Lions are one of the heavy favorites to win the Big Ten conference. After all, they return the bulk of their CFP semifinal team from last year. That does not mean that they will not have their challengers throughout the campaign. Therefore, it will not be easy sledding for a team that haven't yet proved they can win games when they matter. Here are the five teams most likely to challenge Penn State throughout the season and more importantly, for the Big Ten crown. 5. Washington Washington may not be on every Big Ten's radar, but if that prolific backfield improves upon the strides they made last year, they very well could be the shock team in the conference this season. With Demond Williams Jr. in his first full year as the starter, look for him to brink back a certain level of dynamism to the offense not unlike what Michael Penix Jr. offered a couple of years ago. Look for Denzel Boston to be the new Rome Odunze, with his elite catch radius and detailed route tree. Definitely don't forget about the dynamic tandem of Jonah Coleman and rising star Adam Mohammed. While Penn State and Washington do not face off in the regular season, a potential Big Ten championship game will almost certainly provide fireworks. The Huskies are ready to make waves in the Big Ten. The rest of the conference better look out. 4. Illinois Illinois won't be surprising anyone this season. After their first 10-win season in over a decade, the Illini are now on everyone's radar as a true contender. Yes, they may not have the same depth at the receiver position as last year, but with Luke Altmyer's steadying presence and calm in the clutch, Illinois can make up for it. The return of All-Big Ten first team selection Gabe Jacas off the edge is another scary proposition. The Illini may not be as fun and frisky as last year, but they'll definitely be pesky enough to stick around late into the season. Should they beat Ohio State in Week 6, the ball could be rolling for another stunning season in Champaign. 3. Michigan To some, Michigan are still somewhat of an unknown entity. They can either be the squad that upset both Ohio State and Alabama with impassioned defensive performances. Or, despite offensive reinforcements on both the recruiting and portal fronts, they still won't be able to hang tough in the brutal Big Ten. This ranking is highly contingent on No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood and his untapped potential. His upside is what makes this Michigan squad much more intriguing that last year's. Combine it with a defense filled with players with chips on their shoulders and if Sherrone Moore continues to be an inspirational leader for this squad, Michigan could be right back in the thick of the playoff as Big Ten title contenders. 2. Oregon Oregon could also be another team whose success this season could be highly varied. With former UCLA transfer Dante Moore at the helm, it will be fascinating to see his development under Dan Lanning, a coach who is quickly becoming a new "QB whisperer" in the college football landscape. What should excite Oregon fans(and subsequently scare other Big Ten fans), is the addition of Dakorien Moore to the WR corps. A freak athlete, Moore is destined to light up Big Ten scoreboards in what should be an illustrious career with the Ducks. Their defense is also going to be one of the most potent in the country, returning superstar Matayo Uiagelelei. This Oregon team could flounder, but I'm betting one what could be the most riveting new QB-WR tandem in the conference. One that will leave fans clamoring for Moore. Penn State fans should be penciling in their Week 4 Whiteout matchup as one of the most anticipated games on the slate. 1. Ohio State It's no secret that the Buckeyes will be the biggest test for this Nittany Lions squad. The last time the Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes was way back in 2016, ironically the last time they won a Big Ten title. This year, while the matchup looks wholly different, the experience edge might not mean much in a psychological battle. And it's not as if Ohio State are lacking in the talent department. They still have Jeremiah, the undisputed best wide receiver in the nation. They now have a stellar tight end in Max Klare who will mightily benefit from teams' struggles with Smith. On the defensive side of the ball, Caleb Downs returns as the best safety in the nation as well. The Nittany Lions will travel to Columbus in Week 6, looking to vanquish their demons once and for all. Penn State fans should not be prepared for a cakewalk however.
New York Times
20 minutes ago
- New York Times
Reds find themselves in the thick of the race at the trade deadline
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'Wins at any time of the year are super important, but especially right now when decisions are being made,' Reds closer Emilio Pagán said after recording his 22nd save of the season Sunday. 'Some of the conversations I've had with (general manager) Brad (Meador) and (president of baseball operations) Nick (Krall), they're just as pumped as we are. They want to do something special here, too. This has been building now for a few years. I think the city and the organization is aware of that. We didn't do what we wanted to last year, but we're playing good baseball right now, and hopefully we can put ourselves in a spot to do something pretty cool.' The Reds expect starter Hunter Greene to return next month, which could help bolster a starting rotation that has been good of late. Right-hander Brady Singer added to the recent run of strong pitching performances Sunday against the Rays, allowing a run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings to improve to 8-8 on the season. Singer was one of the players with playoff experience that Krall and Meador brought in this past offseason, along with catcher Jose Trevino, outfielder Austin Hays and infielder/outfielder Gavin Lux. They also hired Terry Francona as manager. His resume includes three pennants and two World Series championships. 'We have a group of guys that are looking to make a push in the playoffs,' Singer said. 'The city deserves the playoffs as well.' Your Cincinnati Reds have won 10 of the last 14‼️#ATOBTTR — Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 27, 2025 The Reds haven't made the playoffs since 2020, haven't made the playoffs in a full season since 2013 and haven't had a home playoff game since 2012. They haven't advanced in the postseason since 1995, and their last World Series title came in 1990. Only one player on the team was born when the Reds last won a World Series. Starter Nick Martinez was born Aug. 5, 1990, just months before the Reds swept the Athletics for the franchise's fifth title. Advertisement As far as deadline needs, the two things the Reds need the most are a power bat, preferably right-handed, and at least one more bullpen arm. Where will those come from? It's tough to say. It's unlikely Krall would mortgage the franchise's future to take a chance on this year's team, but he'll need to do more than the last time the team was in this position, 2023, when the biggest addition was lefty reliever Sam Moll. Though the Reds play their home games in one of the best home-run ballparks in the game, they rank 20th in total homers this season with 109. The Reds' slugging percentage of .393 ranks 18th in baseball. Francona has leaned heavily on the bullpen pieces he has, with Tony Santillan tied for the big-league lead with 51 appearances this season, including all three games against the Rays, and Scott Barlow's 49 appearances tied for seventh. Pagán also threw in all three games against the Rays. Francona has said he'll never publicly discuss team needs because that would be telling his current players that he doesn't think they're good enough. He has been the beneficiary of deadline deals before, however. In 2004, Francona was in his first year with the Boston Red Sox when the team dealt franchise icon Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs and got shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Montreal Expos and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from the Minnesota Twins. Those two played large roles in the franchise's run to its first title since 1918. In 2016, Francona's Cleveland squad added left-handed reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees. Miller won the MVP of the American League Championship Series and set a record for the most consecutive scoreless innings by a reliever, with 15. He also struck out a record 29 batters in that postseason. So, although the Reds like what they have in the clubhouse, upgrades can pay big dividends. Advertisement In hockey, there's a 'Gordie Howe hat trick,' which consists of a goal, an assist and a fight, three things the Hall of Famer was known for. In Friday's game against the Rays, Reds center fielder TJ Friedl had a bunt single and a home run, the sixth time in his career he has done both in a game. How 'bout stealing a couple runs, @RedsCowboy? @TjFriedl1 — Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 26, 2025 So, what would make a Friedl hat trick? 'I don't know, maybe robbing a homer,' said Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, who has played most of his professional career with Friedl. The home run was Friedl's 10th of the season and the 50th of his career. The bunt hit, in the fourth inning, was his big-league-leading eighth of the season and the 34th of his career. In 2023, Friedl had 17 bunt hits and 18 home runs. Francona said sometimes a bunt can help get a player going, as it did for Friedl. 'He wasn't feeling good swinging the bat,' Francona said of Friedl's performance Friday. 'But he found a way to be productive, got a bunt down and kept the line moving. And they can say what they want, you can talk numbers all you want, but mentally, it's like when a basketball player shoots a layup early, because then you start to feel it. I think there's something to that.' Heading into Monday's 5 p.m. ET deadline for MLB Draft picks to sign, the Reds have inked 17 of their 20 picks from this month's draft to contracts, all but three high school players who were the team's final three picks. The unsigned picks are shortstop Ethan Moore from Illinois, RHP Myles Upchurch from Washington, D.C., and catcher Leamsi Montanez from Puerto Rico. Moore, a switch hitter, has committed to the University of Tennessee, where the Reds' top pick, shortstop Steele Hall, had committed before signing with the Reds. Upchurch, a 6-foot-4 pitcher, signed with the University of Alabama. Montanez, a left-handed hitter, is uncommitted. Advertisement After a disappointing series loss on the road to the Washington Nationals, the Reds rebounded to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays at home, finishing the week 4-2. It was their fifth series sweep of the season. Since May 15, the Reds have the fifth-best record in baseball, at 36-26, but just the third-best record in the National League Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers (40-20) and Cubs (36-24). Not only do the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers come to town for three games beginning Monday (with Shohei Ohtani starting opposite Nick Martinez on Wednesday), but the trade deadline is also Thursday at 6 p.m., with the Reds beginning their three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at 7:10 p.m. After a rare Friday day game, the Reds will head to Bristol, Tenn., to take on the Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Speedway Classic. • RHP Hunter Greene (right groin strain) is scheduled to make a start for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday in Omaha, Neb. He is scheduled to throw 55 pitches and then pitch again Saturday. • RHP Ian Gibaut (right shoulder impingement) has begun playing catch and is scheduled to throw a bullpen later this week. • LHP Wade Miley (left flexor strain) has extended his throwing to 120 feet and is scheduled to throw a bullpen Friday. • RHP Carson Spiers (right shoulder impingement) will miss the rest of the season and have elbow surgery soon, although the date has yet to be determined. • Triple-A Louisville (45-57): 3B Sal Stewart went 4-for-4 with two homers and a double (11 total bases) and scored three times Saturday. In nine games at Triple A, he has gone 10-for-36 (.278) with three homers. OF Héctor Rodríguez, who was promoted at the same time, is 14-for-34 (.411) with a home run and four doubles since being called up to the Bats. Rodríguez also has more walks (seven) than strikeouts (five) in his first 41 plate appearances, giving him an on-base percentage of .512. Advertisement • Double-A Chattanooga (52-40): RHP Trevor Kuncl, signed as a minor-league free agent from Mexico this past offseason, recorded his 14th save in Sunday's victory. Kuncl, 26, is 2-0 with a 1.09 ERA and has converted 14 of his 15 save opportunities. Over 29 appearances and 33 innings, he has allowed just 22 hits and four earned runs while striking out 31 and walking 12. • High-A Dayton (30-62): In an up-and-down season, RHP Luke Hayden had nearly identical back-to-back starts, including Friday's start against South Bend, when he allowed a run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and four walks. In his previous start, July 18 against Great Lakes, he gave up a run on two hits in five innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Hayden combined to throw just four innings in his first two starts of the month, allowing eight runs, including five on six walks on July 3 against Lake County. Overall, he's 2-5 with a 4.09 ERA, but batters are hitting just .204 against him. However, he has 51 walks and 61 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings. • Class-A Daytona (43-50 before Sunday night's game): 3B Alfredo Alcantara made his Class-A debut Friday after being promoted from the Arizona Complex League. Alcantara, 19, had a pair of hits in each of his first two games with the Tortugas, including a double, a home run and three RBIs on Saturday. In Arizona, he hit .315/.444/.443 with two homers, 33 walks and 44 strikeouts in 44 games and 189 plate appearances. (Photo of Brady Singer: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
After successful Big Ten debut, UCLA has designs on something even bigger
It's a chaotic time in college sports, the rules seeming to change daily and some athletes making nearly as much money as their coaches. At UCLA, the revenue-sharing era officially starts Friday. Athletes will undoubtedly keep refreshing their PayPal accounts to check for that first payment from the pot of $20.5 million that will be distributed in the first year. Meanwhile, Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond will be keeping tabs on another bottom line — following up a successful Big Ten debut with something far bigger. Having tallied 10 conference championships between the Big Ten and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation — more than any other Big Ten school — UCLA could be poised for a breakthrough in its two marquee sports as part of a potentially historic year across the board for its athletic department. The football team landed transfer Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee and the men's basketball team brought in Donovan Dent from New Mexico, giving UCLA perhaps its best quarterback-point guard combination since Josh Rosen and Lonzo Ball nearly a decade ago. 'If you look at our athletic program,' Jarmond, who recently completed his fifth year on the job, told The Times, 'there's an energy and buzz that I feel we haven't had since I've been here, and that's why I'm most positive now.' At a recent player-run practice on campus, Jarmond watched Iamaleava step up in the pocket and fire a 50-yard pass down the sideline to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer. 'Nico made a play that I don't know how many other guys in the country could make,' Jarmond said, 'and I was like, 'whoa.' Like, that's pretty cool, you know?' There's lots of intrigue to behold in Westwood these days. Fresh off a Final Four run, the women's basketball team bolstered itself with the additions of sharpshooter Gianna Kneepkens, a highly coveted transfer from Utah, and freshman Sienna Betts, the younger sister of All-America center Lauren Betts. Oh, and don't forget that softball slugger Megan Grant will make Pauley Pavilion a second home as part of her bid to become a two-sport standout. Grant will also once again combine with Jordan Woolery as perhaps the nation's top-hitting duo in their bid to help the softball team not only make it back to the Women's College World Series but win the whole thing this time. The baseball team that just made the College World Series is bringing back shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the probable No. 1 pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft, and recently learned that high school pitcher Angel Cervantes will play for the Bruins next season instead of the Pittsburgh Pirates after contract negotiations ended with the recent draftee. Jarmond said he was confident the team could continue to play at Jackie Robinson Stadium in 2026 after a judge issued a stay of legal proceedings that threatened to force the Bruins to go elsewhere. The men's water polo team will try to defend its national championship with Ryder Dodd trying to top a season in which the freshman scored a MPSF-record 102 goals. After finishing as runner-up to national champion Oklahoma, the women's gymnastics team will welcome a top recruiting class plus the return of two-time Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles. Jarmond said he appreciates working for a university administration that understands the importance of supporting a strong Olympic sports program, particularly with the 2028 Summer Olympics headed to Los Angeles. 'This is the time to continue to invest in our Olympic sports and make sure that we have the excellence that UCLA is known for,' Jarmond said, 'and we're going to uphold that tradition.' Unlike other schools that have imposed student fees to help offset rising athletic department costs upon the onset of revenue sharing, UCLA officials have not discussed such a move, Jarmond said. The Bruins will instead focus on revenue generation through fundraising, ticket sales, sponsorships and new creative endeavors. The school plans to partner with an outside firm to help its athletes with content creation to boost their social media following, making them more attractive to brands that could hire them for name, image and likeness deals. Jarmond said he's not aware of any NIL deals involving UCLA athletes being rejected by the new College Sports Commission, though there remains a backlog of deals under review. Deals of $600 or more are evaluated by a clearinghouse called NIL Go to ensure they represent fair market value and a legitimate business purpose. The role of collectives in offering additional compensation to athletes beyond revenue sharing continues to evolve as part of a shift away from what was previously considered a hard cap on earnings. 'I'm optimistic that it's going to work out,' Jarmond said of maximizing earnings opportunities for athletes. 'I'm optimistic that we will adapt to whatever situation that presents itself based on hard cap, soft cap, whatever cap.' UCLA is also strengthening the infrastructure of its men's and women's basketball teams with the hiring of an assistant general manager for each sport to help with recruiting and navigating the transfer portal. When it comes to revenue sharing payments, Jarmond said he's leaving it up to coaches to dictate how much each player makes. Football coach DeShaun Foster said he divvied up his team's money based on talent, with general manager Khary Darlington and assistant general manager Steven Price assigning values for each player based on previous NFL front office experience dealing with salary structures. 'They loved that we had people explaining to them how you're getting this money or why you're not getting this money,' Foster said of his players, 'and I think that resonated with them.' Across all sports, the Bruins are seeking a strong encore after an initial Big Ten season that saw the school place fifth in the Learfield Director's Cup standings, its best finish since 2018. UCLA athletes posted what Jarmond called a 'phenomenal' 3.22 grade-point average through winter quarter (the latest for which figures are available) despite the travel challenges presented by playing in a coast-to-coast conference. For UCLA athletics to reach the heights that Jarmond wants, its football and men's basketball teams must win big, and he believes the coaches and influx of talent on each of those teams will give them a chance to do so next season. Iamaleava's arrival has generated heightened excitement about a football team that went 5-7 in Foster's debut season. Jarmond said two recruits he met with on their campus visits mentioned the quarterback as one of the reasons they wanted to come to UCLA. 'You know, we just have more interest and buzz, and it's cool,' Jarmond said. 'I think DeShaun has created that, and Nico and the guys.' What excites Jarmond most is the potential to be on a victory lap that's picking up speed. 'This is a great time for UCLA athletics,' Jarmond said, 'and I feel like it's just the beginning.'
