After a standoff that lasted months, the Cincinnati Bengals signed No. 17 overall pick Shemar Stewart on Friday night. He signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million contract. There was some discrepancy regarding contract language. The Bengals added the language they were seeking, and Stewart received his money up front. It was a win-win. How will he help the Bengals in 2025?
How Will Stewart Impact the Cincinnati Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals needed a massive overhaul on defense. The unit was one of the worst units in the league in 2024. Hopefully, Stewart can help the defense find its form. Cincinnati looked to the college ranks to find its next defensive coordinator. They hired Al Golden away from Notre Dame this offseason. Only time will tell if he can have success on the NFL level.
Final Thoughts
With Stewart’s contract handled, the Cincinnati Bengals must figure out the Trey Hendrickson situation. He and the team are reportedly not close to agreeing on a deal. He has said on many occasions that he would not take the field in 2025 until he signs a new contract. The star defensive player headed to Florida once training camp began. The Cincinnati Bengals are not out of the woods yet regarding their contracts.
