The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up their rookie signings by reaching an agreement with first-round pass rusher Shemar Stewart.
The 280-pound edge rusher from Texas A&M had been the final unsigned first-round pick across the league before both sides found common ground on his rookie deal.
Stewart has wasted little time making an impact since joining training camp as a full participant.
His combination of burst and physicality has stood out during early practices, drawing praise for his disruptive presence along the defensive line.
“Shemar Stewart has been DOMINATING the Bengals’ offensive line since he got back. Stewart will be a nightmare for opposing O-lines,” Dov Kleiman wrote with a practice clip.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Shemar Stewart has been DOMINATING the Bengals’ offensive line since he got back 😳
Stewart will be a nightmare for opposing O-lines. pic.twitter.com/KL1DB548VW
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 4, 2025
The Bengals selected Stewart despite pre-draft questions about his college production numbers.
His 4.5 sacks across 37 games at Texas A&M raised eyebrows among some analysts. Cincinnati viewed him as a traits-over-production prospect whose skill set could help fill the void left by Sam Hubbard’s retirement.
The team has taken a measured approach to Stewart’s development.
They have avoided overwhelming the rookie with too much responsibility early in camp.
However, Trey Hendrickson’s ongoing contract holdout could accelerate Stewart’s timeline for meaningful snaps.
Cincinnati’s defense struggled in 2024 despite Joe Burrow’s strong quarterback play. The unit’s poor performance contributed to the team missing the postseason.
Stewart’s emergence becomes even more critical given those defensive shortcomings from a year ago.
His early training camp performances suggest the rookie may exceed expectations.
The pass rusher’s natural ability to generate pressure could prove valuable for a defense looking to bounce back.
If Stewart continues progressing at this rate, he has the tools to become a cornerstone piece in Cincinnati’s defensive turnaround.
