Bengals predicted to end Shemar Stewart drama by trading rookie to NFC contender

The Cincinnati Bengals knew they wanted to add a pass-rusher this offseason. 

Veteran Trey Hendrickson is one of the best pass-rushers in the league, but he and the team have been locked in a contract dispute that seems like it will inevitably end in a divorce.

Even with Hendrickson around, the Bengals needed more depth across from him. 

The team thought it was solving this problem by selecting Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Stewart was considered to be among the best pass-rushers in the class, and figured to be exactly what the Bengals needed. 

However, it's been a nightmare start for the team and rookie so far.

Stewart still has not signed his contract and left mandatory minicamp early. The disagreement is due to Cincinnati's efforts to include language that would allow them to void future guarantees in the deal.

Stewart has stated that he will not practice or play unless this clause is removed, and the Bengals haven't shown a willingness to budge, either. 

As a result, the team could end up trading their first-round pick. If they do decide to do so, they would have to do it before the first week of August. It would be an unprecedented move, but it's possible nonetheless.

If the Bengals indeed make Stewart available, Anthony Palacios of LWOS believes the Detroit Lions could be a good fit. Regarding Stewart and the Lions, Palacios offered the following: 

After deciding not to re-sign Za’Darius Smith, the Detroit Lions are lacking a capable opposite pass-rusher to aid Aidan Hutchinson. The team shouldn’t rush to get Hutchinson back up to speed, so trading for Stewart makes sense for the Lions. They could send at least a second-round and fourth-round pick for Stewart to solidify this trenches unit.

The Lions could certainly use some help for Aidan Hutchinson on the edge. In 2024, Hutchinson ended the season as the team's sack leader, and that was despite him only playing in five games after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6.

Za'Darius Smith was a capable pass-rusher the team acquired at the trade deadline, but Smith was released in a cost-saving move earlier this offseason. 

Stewart would give the Lions a physical freak to develop opposite Hutchinson for years to come. Stewart never produced much in college, but he tested off the charts and has the tools to be an elite edge rusher in the league. 

For a player of Stewart's potential, the Lions would likely be fine parting with a couple of draft picks. There's no edge rusher on the Lions' roster, save for Hutchinson, that has as much potential as Stewart does.