There was a lot of hope for the Cincinnati Bengals when they drafted Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That was hope that never came to fruition during his rookie season.
With the 2026 NFL Draft now less than a week away, Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verdarame went back to take inventory of that draft. He came away ranking Stewart as the worst selection in the entire draft.
It’s no secret that there were issues. Those came almost right away off the field, as Stewart and the Bengals struggled to come to terms on his rookie contract. That made things awkward almost right away and limited his participation during the offseason. It’s certainly possible that this contributed to his struggles on the field once the season came around.
Stewart missed time during the season with a knee injury and only ended up playing in eight games. In that limited time, he managed to accumulate just 1.0 sacks and 2 tackles for a loss.
Why the Cincinnati Bengals and Shemar Stewart Earned This Dubious Honor
GettyCincinnati Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart
If Shemar Stewart had his off-field issues negotiating a contract but played well, it would be one thing. If he had struggled on the field, but there had been no contract dispute, it would be another. Neither would be ideal, but combining them made for an ominous start to his NFL career.
“Everything about Stewart joining the Bengals has gone poorly. After being selected with the No. 17 pick out of Texas A&M, Stewart didn’t sign for months, missing a portion of Cincinnati’s offseason program before showing up to training camp in late July,” Verdarame wrote.
“Stewart, 22, ended up appearing in eight games, amassing only four quarterback hits with a sack while playing 53% of Cincinnati’s defensive snaps. With Trey Hendrickson now moving on to the Ravens in free agency, the Bengals desperately need Stewart to become a force up front.”
The Bengals are still seen as a team that needs to address the edge rusher position. That’s in large part because of how Stewart struggled. So, if they do look to address the edge with the 10th overall pick, they’ll need to make sure to find someone who can provide more immediate production.
Bengals Defensive Line Coach Jerry Montgomery Explains Shemar Stewart’s Rookie Struggles
GettyCincinnati Bengals edge rusher Shemar Stewart
If there is anyone who knows what went wrong in Shemar Stewart’s rookie season, it’s Cincinnati Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery. During an appearance on the Bengals Booth podcast, Montgomery looked to explain his on-field struggles as being related to the time he missed.
“Shemar missed six months of football,” Montgomery said. “He was injured. He missed most of the season. I would say there were times he wasn’t ready to be out there as a guy that just missed so much football.”
There’s no doubt that Stewart was in a bad situation during his rookie season. He missed a good amount of practice time and then couldn’t find consistent time during the season with his injuries. So, if that was the issue, being healthy and not in a contract dispute should go a long way in helping him make a year two leap.
“I think with some development and a full offseason…he’s healthy, he’s doing a great job in his offseason training right now, I look for him to have a big year, and I’m excited about his future,” Montgomery concluded.
Bengals Edge Shemar Stewart Given Dubious Honor Ahead of NFL Draft