Shemar Stewart’s jersey number change creates cool moment for Bengals

[ASFN Admin]

Cincinnati Bengals edge defender Shemar Stewart was more than happy to give up his No. 97 to new arrival Dexter Lawrence this offseason.

Now we know why.

Per Stewart himself this week, when Lawrence asked, the second-year defender was more than happy to give it up for a slight fee to a “walking legend.”

The full interview is a really cool moment, courtesy of Noelle Blumel of WCPO:

Shemar Stewart gave jersey #97 to Dexter Lawrence

Dexter: “What do you want for the number?”
Shemar: *gives "reasonable [price]" *
Dexter: “Ok.”

“He earned that … I’m not gonna be the one to stop you from getting your number....You’re a walking legend."#Bengals | @WCPOpic.twitter.com/aTwkOtTuro

— Noelle Blumel (@NoelleBlumel) May 12, 2026

There’s even a shoutout to Sam Hubbard in there, as Stewart now dons the No. 94, yet another defensive line number with some seriously great modern history behind it.

No word on what Stewart asked Lawrence for in return, but seeing that players who change numbers need to cough up a restocking fee to buy out old merchandise, it’s probably something along those lines.

And at the end of the day? This is a minor story that provides some cool insight into Stewart himself, a guy Bengals fans have yet to really get to know all that well as he charges into Year 2 hoping to hit on a big upswing.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Shemar Stewart’s jersey number change creates cool moment for Bengals

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