Bengals rookie dubbed first-year player 'with potential to disappoint' in 2025

The Cincinnati Bengals and rookie edge rusher Shemar Stewart are currently embroiled in a contract dispute.

Stewart remains unsigned with just weeks to go before training camp begins as the two sides spar over language in his deal that allows the Bengals to void future guarantees.

As a result, Stewart has yet to practice with the team, which is terrible news for his development as he seeks to get acclimated in the NFL.

That fact has Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski thinking that Stewart has the "potential to disappoint" in 2025.

"Shemar Stewart has all the potential in the world to become an elite edge-defender for the Cincinnati Bengals. First, he needs to agree to a contract. Second, he has significant development to do before reaching that point," Sobleski wrote.

Not only do the Bengals need Stewart to provide a boost to a defense that prevented the team from making the playoffs in 2024, they may also need him to help replace Trey Hendrickson, who is in his own contract standoff with Cincinnati.

Hendrickson is seeking a raise that's suitable for his level of production, but by all accounts, it doesn't appear the Bengals are keen on giving it to him.

Because of that, trading Hendrickson is very much on the table if he continues to refuse to play on his current deal.

As if Stewart didn't have enough pressure on his shoulders already as a first-round pick, that pressure with be greatly amplified if Hendrickson doesn't stay.

With high expectations on a team that could compete for a Super Bowl if the defense can turn things around, it's going to be difficult for Stewart to answer the bell in Year 1 after having missed so much practice time.