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When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, it didn't have much to do with Trey Hendrickson and the All-Pro's current contract standoff with the team.
While the national narrative attempted to suggest the Bengals drafting a first-round edge defender might signal Hendrickson's departure, such a move never happened and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shot down the notion.
While analyzing the pick, we suggested Stewart actually slots more into that Sam Hubbard-like role as a defender who sets the edge in a rotation. The implications on Hendrickson happen beyond 2025 as they hope to develop his immensely high apparent ceiling as a pass-rusher.
RELATED: Bengals free agents remaining after 2025 NFL draft
This week, ESPN's Jermey Fowler aligned with this idea while reporting on buzz for each of the 32 teams:
"So, at least in the short term, Shemar Stewart could assume the Hendrickson role in the defense. But I do believe the drafting of Stewart isn't totally tied to Hendrickson's situation. Cincinnati likes not only Stewart's explosiveness, but his positional flexibility at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds."
So, Stewart might work in a rotation to keep Hendrickson fresh, sure. But as far as how it relates to Hendrickson's future with the team, any suggestion that Stewart's arrival signals a massive roster change remains a huge reach.
On paper, the Bengals want Hendrickson, Stewart, Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai as the big four on the edge and also plan to kick those guys inside to rush the passer in certain subpackages, too.
RELATED: 2025 NFL draft: RAS scores for new Bengals rookie class
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL insider confirms Shemar Stewart impact on Trey Hendrickson
Continue reading...
While the national narrative attempted to suggest the Bengals drafting a first-round edge defender might signal Hendrickson's departure, such a move never happened and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shot down the notion.
While analyzing the pick, we suggested Stewart actually slots more into that Sam Hubbard-like role as a defender who sets the edge in a rotation. The implications on Hendrickson happen beyond 2025 as they hope to develop his immensely high apparent ceiling as a pass-rusher.
RELATED: Bengals free agents remaining after 2025 NFL draft
This week, ESPN's Jermey Fowler aligned with this idea while reporting on buzz for each of the 32 teams:
"So, at least in the short term, Shemar Stewart could assume the Hendrickson role in the defense. But I do believe the drafting of Stewart isn't totally tied to Hendrickson's situation. Cincinnati likes not only Stewart's explosiveness, but his positional flexibility at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds."
So, Stewart might work in a rotation to keep Hendrickson fresh, sure. But as far as how it relates to Hendrickson's future with the team, any suggestion that Stewart's arrival signals a massive roster change remains a huge reach.
On paper, the Bengals want Hendrickson, Stewart, Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai as the big four on the edge and also plan to kick those guys inside to rush the passer in certain subpackages, too.
RELATED: 2025 NFL draft: RAS scores for new Bengals rookie class
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL insider confirms Shemar Stewart impact on Trey Hendrickson
Continue reading...
