Cincinnati Bengals Still Facing Backlash Over Shemar Stewart Controversy Amid Ongoing NFL Scrutiny, Player Reactions, and Public Outrage in 2025

The Cincinnati Bengals, a franchise known for its resilience and recent resurgence in the AFC, now finds itself engulfed in controversy. At the center of the storm: defensive end Shemar Stewart. Once a promising young talent drafted to bolster the Bengals’ defensive line, Stewart has become a lightning rod for criticism — not just for his off-field conduct, but for how the Bengals organization has responded.

Nearly six months after the initial allegations and subsequent revelations, the franchise is still drawing national heat over how it handled the Shemar Stewart situation. With legal questions looming, fan trust eroding, and league officials closely monitoring, the Bengals are learning firsthand the long-lasting consequences of inaction, missteps, and silence.

The Incident That Sparked a Firestorm

The Shemar Stewart saga began in January 2025, just weeks after the Bengals’ Wild Card playoff exit. News broke that Stewart was under investigation in connection with an off-field altercation involving a former associate in Miami, Florida. Reports alleged serious misconduct — including physical confrontation and property damage — and while no formal charges were immediately filed, the nature of the incident raised red flags within league circles.

What elevated the controversy was not just the incident itself, but how the Bengals responded. Or rather, how they didn’t.

Rather than placing Stewart on the Commissioner’s Exempt List or issuing a public statement clarifying his status, the team allowed him to participate in offseason training activities without restriction. It wasn’t until widespread media pressure and questions from fellow NFL players surfaced in March that the team acknowledged the ongoing investigation.

Bengals’ Initial Silence Raises Eyebrows

At the heart of the backlash is the perception that the Bengals prioritized on-field production over accountability. Stewart, a second-year player out of Texas A&M, had a breakout rookie season with 9.5 sacks and 24 QB hits — quickly emerging as a key piece of Cincinnati’s defensive identity.

According to insiders, some within the organization believed Stewart’s talent was too valuable to sideline without legal consequences. This calculation, however, has proven costly.

“The Bengals essentially sent the message that production trumps conduct,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter in a recent segment. “Whether intentional or not, their silence became a form of complicity.”

The NFLPA and advocacy groups like End Violence Against Women have openly criticized the franchise’s approach. “Organizations have a moral responsibility to protect victims and set a standard,” said spokesperson Lila Grant. “Remaining neutral in moments of moral clarity is still a choice—and it sends the wrong message.”

Player Reactions: Division in the Locker Room

Internally, the Stewart controversy has created an uncomfortable division within the Bengals’ locker room. While some teammates have stood by him, others have quietly voiced concerns about leadership’s lack of clarity.

Veteran safety Vonn Bell, who returned to the team this offseason, was reportedly one of the players who pushed for a team meeting on the issue. Though that meeting was never formally held, it signaled unease behind the scenes.

“There’s been tension,” one anonymous player told The Athletic. “You’ve got guys trying to focus on football, but the lack of transparency from upstairs is making it harder.”

Team captain and quarterback Joe Burrow, often the face of calm leadership, addressed the situation delicately during minicamp in June: “It’s tough. You want to support your teammates, but you also have to respect the process. The organization will do what’s right.”

That statement, though diplomatic, drew criticism from some fans and media members who expected a more definitive stance.

Front Office Missteps and the PR Fallout

Much of the public ire has been directed at Bengals owner Mike Brown and general manager Duke Tobin. In April, when asked directly about Stewart’s status at a pre-draft press conference, Brown responded, “We’re monitoring the situation and trusting the league’s process.”

That answer — viewed by many as evasive — further inflamed the backlash. Critics argue that in today’s NFL, where image and integrity matter more than ever, such vague language isn’t just tone-deaf, it’s damaging.

Sports columnist Jemele Hill wrote, “The Bengals had a chance to lead with integrity. Instead, they chose ambiguity. And in doing so, they betrayed their fans and the league.”

Meanwhile, social media campaigns using hashtags like #AccountabilityInCincy and #SuspendShemar have gained traction, with thousands calling for the team to take a firmer stance. Season ticket holders have voiced frustration in open letters and local radio call-ins, questioning their loyalty to a team that appears reluctant to uphold values beyond the scoreboard.

The NFL’s Response: Pressure Mounting

As the controversy drags on, the NFL has begun to exert more pressure behind closed doors. League sources say Commissioner Roger Goodell is “disappointed” with how the Bengals handled the Stewart situation and is weighing disciplinary action.

In June, the league quietly dispatched investigators to interview team officials, players, and staff — a move typically reserved for more severe cases. Some believe a fine or even a loss of a draft pick could be in play if the investigation determines the Bengals violated the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

“Even if Stewart ultimately isn’t charged, the team’s failure to act may be viewed as a breach of league ethics,” said former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum. “Goodell wants teams to be proactive, not reactive.”

Shemar Stewart’s Status: What We Know Now

As of July, Stewart has not been formally charged with any crime. However, sources close to the Miami-Dade police investigation suggest the case remains open, with new evidence reportedly being reviewed.

Stewart has denied any wrongdoing, issuing a short statement through his agent in February that read: “Mr. Stewart maintains his innocence and is cooperating fully with investigators. He looks forward to clearing his name.”

Despite this, he has remained largely out of the public eye—no interviews, no social media posts, no public appearances since the controversy erupted.

The Bengals have yet to formally suspend or discipline him, but Stewart was notably absent from the team’s June minicamp, with the official line citing “personal matters.”

What’s Next for the Bengals and Stewart?

With training camp set to begin later this month, the pressure is mounting on the Bengals to make a definitive decision. The team has three options:

1. Suspend Stewart voluntarily pending the conclusion of the investigation.

2. Place him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, effectively sidelining him while collecting pay.

3. Allow him to report to camp and risk further backlash.

Each path comes with risks, both legally and reputationally. But many believe continued indecision will do the most damage.

“This isn’t just about one player,” said sports attorney and analyst Daniel Wallach. “It’s about organizational culture. If the Bengals continue to fumble this, it could cost them not just fan support, but potential free agents, sponsors, and league credibility.”

A Test of Leadership

The Shemar Stewart controversy has become more than just a legal question — it’s a litmus test for the Bengals’ leadership, values, and long-term vision. Can a team that rose from mediocrity to Super Bowl contender with Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor now navigate one of the most complex PR crises of the post-Roethlisberger NFL era?

So far, the answer has not inspired confidence. While the on-field product may remain competitive, the off-field distractions risk undermining everything the franchise has built over the last five years.

For fans, it’s a painful moment of reckoning.

“We’ve supported this team through losing seasons, quarterback injuries, and playoff heartbreak,” said lifelong Bengals supporter Candace Wright. “But this feels different. If the team can’t stand up for what’s right now, when will they?”

The Shemar Stewart situation remains unresolved, but the damage to the Bengals’ image has already taken root. Every day without clarity is another missed opportunity to restore trust.

If Cincinnati wants to move forward — on the field and off — it must first look inward, confront the uncomfortable truths, and lead with more than just talent and touchdowns.

Because in the NFL of 2025, culture is currency. And right now, the Bengals are running a deficit they can’t afford.