Cincinnati Bengals' Shemar Stewart Faces Added Pressure After Cincinnati's Defensive Overhaul

The conversation around Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart entering his second NFL season isn't really about his rookie numbers anymore. It's about the environment around him changing in a way that leaves very little room for another slow start.

Stewart arrived in Cincinnati last year carrying the label of one of the draft's biggest projection picks. The physical tools were never questioned. The production was. Then came a contract standoff before training camp, followed by knee and ankle injuries that limited him to just 280 defensive snaps.

By the time the season ended, there were plenty of explanations for why the Bengals never saw the version of Stewart they believed they drafted. But all of that goes out the door this fall.

"I'm not going to sit here and say it was an easy year for me," Stewart told reporters this spring, via Arye Pulli of Sports Illustrated. "I definitely had my fair share of losses throughout the year. You definitely get beat up, but you've got to come back stronger."

That mindset may end up being just as important as any technical improvement.

Pro Football Focus recently included Stewart among its second-year players facing the most pressure in 2026, and the underlying numbers explain why. Stewart finished with a 41.2 overall defensive grade, the lowest among 120 edge defenders who played at least 250 snaps. His run-defense grade dipped to 29.3, while his pass-rush production also landed well below league average.

Rather than assuming Stewart would naturally take a step forward, Cincinnati reshaped its edge room. Boye Mafe arrived in free agency after Trey Hendrickson departed, and the Bengals also added Cashius Howell through the draft. Myles Murphy remains in the rotation as well. All adding to the depth that changes the conversation.

Last season, Cincinnati largely needed Stewart to develop because of its lack of alternatives. This year, the coaching staff has options. Stewart still projects as an important piece of the defense, but he now has to earn those opportunities instead of receiving them by default.

Stewart finally experienced a normal offseason after spending much of last year navigating the draft process and contract negotiations. That's an easy detail to overlook, but it may be one of the biggest differences heading into training camp.

The Bengals also appear to have a plan that better fits Stewart's skill set. Roling noted the defense is expected to incorporate multiple fronts, creating more opportunities to move Stewart around rather than limiting him to one role along the defensive line.

That's why Stewart's second season feels far more consequential than his first.

His rookie year came with injuries, missed time and plenty of context that complicated any evaluation. This year offers a much cleaner picture. If Stewart begins turning those physical traits into consistent production, the Bengals' investment starts to make more sense. If not, Cincinnati has already positioned itself so the defense won't have to wait for him.