Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart is finally healthy and looking to make a difference on a defense that badly needs him. With Trey Hendrickson ramping up his activity following a hip injury suffered against the Green Bay Packers, Stewart is suddenly a critical chess piece for Al Golden to employ to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The man they call the mutant occasionally shows flashes of why he was so highly regarded in draft circles in April. Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery has been hard at work refining the technique of the 17th overall pick. Stewart played 22 snaps (39%) against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and this number should increase as Cincinnati aims for more juice on the edge opposite of Hendrickson. With each passing week, Stewart will get more comfortable rushing the QB, and his presence should help others along the Bengals’ DL be more impactful.
Shemar Stewart Vows to Make a Difference for the Bengals
Background Notes
Stewart, most likely, has the highest upside out of the entire 2025 Bengals draft class. He’s an athletic freak with impressive quickness. The power is also evident, as he’s able to push heavier defenders back. Hendrickson was influential in coaching him up on the sidelines in OTAs and training camp, and when Stewart diversifies his pass rush sets as the season goes on, he could be a force to be reckoned with in the league.
Repetitive Days
The learning curve in the NFL is steep for those coming from college. All players are trying to win every rep they take. Stewart has a great support system behind him, as head coach Zac Taylor has built one of the best locker room cultures in the league. The great equalizer, though, comes in the form of those reps, and plenty of them are needed in your memory bank so you can play fast on the field in big moments.
Stewart, to his own admission, is a work in progress, and he wasn’t thrilled with his performance against the Steelers when he stated, “A lot of time missed, out four weeks. You know, it’s not ideal for somebody in their rookie season. You need to be out there. You need to get those reps. So set me back a little bit, but I’m full steam ahead. I wouldn’t say there was much to like. I feel like I had a subpar performance. So I feel like there’s a lot to go back to, a lot to work on still. So, taking it day by day.”
Room to Grow
With the Bengals in the midst of a full-fledged youth movement on defense, Stewart is part of a group that will be instrumental in dictating how the remainder of the season goes, for better or worse. He and his teammates have the right mindset and attitude. Time will tell if success was mind over matter.
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