Coming out of their Week 6 bye, the 3-2 Cincinnati Bengals are last in the AFC North, but they have a real chance of making a move towards the top of the division as the year rolls along.

One of the main reasons why this Bengals team is different is thanks to their much-improved defense. Specifically, the Bengals' defensive line is playing great to start the season. However, one key name isn't really a part of the turnaround.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed that Shemar Stewart, thanks to his lack of involvement in the Bengals' edge rusher rotation, is a legitimate "surprise" name to watch on the trade market this Fall.

Shemar Stewart tabbed as a 'surprise' trade candidate for Bengals

"One surprise name a few teams are tracking is Cincinnati edge rusher Shemar Stewart," Fowler writes. "... Cincinnati typically doesn't move its young draft picks, but it would be surprising if the Bengals haven't received inquiries on Stewart, whose upside remains high."

The Bengals could be getting trade calls on Stewart this season, and Fowler believes he's a legitimate trade candidate for the 2026 NFL trade deadline.

A huge reason why is that, through the first part of the season, Stewart has barely played. He has 17 snaps on defense, well below Cedric Johnson, the team's fourth edge rusher.

With the Bengals losing Trey Hendrickson, it was natural to assume Stewart would see an increase in playing time. But the 2025 first-round pick has fallen by the wayside on defense this season.

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Boye Mafe has taken on a big role, and Myles Murphy has maintained a starting job. With rookie second-rounder Cashius Howell impressing so far in an increasing role, the Bengals would, at best, have Stewart as their fourth edge rusher.

But with Johnson factoring into the rotation, that leaves Stewart as the No. 5 edge rusher, with plenty of questions about his involvement going forward.

While the Bengals won't cut ties with Stewart for nothing, especially not so early into his second NFL season as a first-rounder, the Bengals might actually entertain trade offers.

He's been an underwhelming draft pick for the Bengals, but thanks to the team getting good results elsewhere, Stewart could be used as a trade chip to get more help for the 2026 roster as the Bengals pursue a deep Super Bowl run this year.

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