It has been an offseason full of drama for the Cincinnati Bengals as the team will likely trade Shemar Stewart despite just drafting him this year. According to ESPN, the defensive end left on the last day of mandatory minicamp in the wake of the current contract dispute between him and the Bengals. It doesn’t look to get easier for the team to agree on a contract with him as they’re resuming talks with their other pass-rusher, Trey Hendrickson, who is also in a standoff with the Bengals. However, even though the Bengals did grant Hendrickson a trade earlier this offseason, it’s more likely the team will lose Stewart, being it might be easier to send the 2025 draft pick in return for some draft capital similar to another future first-round pick.
This doesn’t usually happen every offseason in the NFL, as it’s unusual for a rookie to be a standoff with a roster that is looking to sign him. After releasing Germaine Pratt due to salary cap space, the road will get rocky for this defense before it gets better as for Stewart, it’s looking like he wants out of Cincinnati. In his latest comments, he suggests the Bengals’ front office doesn’t do a good job of negotiating a deal since he stated, “Ya’ll just want to win an argument instead of winning more games, in my opinion.” Head Coach Zac Taylor wasn’t happy hearing that from a rookie, but the conversations between the two have been positive since then; however, it doesn’t mean the Bengals won’t trade him anyways.
Breaking: Bengals Could Trade Former First Rounder Shemar Stewart – Top 5 Fits
Possible Destinations
Detroit Lions
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.
Washington Commanders
Meanwhile, there aren’t a lot of physical ball players on the defensive side other than Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. They lost Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team in sacks, and someone like Deatrich Wise probably won’t replicate the same results. Shemar Stewart could at least allow the Commanders to grow on defense while they have a solid offense under quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Carolina Panthers
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have done phenomenally well upgrading their defense after the acquisitions of Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown. Derrick Brown is returning from his gruesome injury, and there’s no guarantee he will be 100% come week one. Stewart might have to work harder in Carolina, but he gets an opportunity to win a starting job with the Panthers.
New Orleans Saints
This would be a friendly contract addition for general manager Mickey Loomis and the New Orleans Saints, who are in cap hell. The team will likely lean on the defense to win most of their games. Why not trade for Stewart to pair with Chase Young, Davon Godchaux and Cameron Jordan to potentially have one of the most dangerous trenches units?
Los Angeles Chargers
While it’s highly unlikely for the Bengals to trade anyone to the AFC. However, the Chargers have the cap space to give Stewart the contract he wants, but the team has been refusing to hand out long-term deals to star players. Between Da’Shawn Hand and Otito Ogbonnia, Stewart arguably has the best situation if he lands in Los Angeles to give Khalil Mack a boost in the pass-rush game.
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