The Cincinnati Bengals and Shemar Stewart may be destined for a breakup.
The team has yet to sign the first-round edge rusher to his rookie deal due to Cincinnati’s efforts to include language that would allow them to void future guarantees in Stewart’s deal.
If the Bengals can’t sign Stewart to his rookie contract, Sports Illustrated’s Pete Martuneac believes we could see a historic trade that would send the Texas A&M product to the Chicago Bears.
“It would be a highly unusual move, but the Bears could trade for the rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart. He would not be an immediate impact player given how much development he is likely to need, but he’s the perfect fit for a Dennis Allen defense and could be coached up into a true Monster of the Midway for years to come,” Martuneac wrote.
Stewart is a raw talent and needs some time to develop. However, the Bears have the assets to take a flyer on him and add the young edge rusher to their defensive line rotation.
Chicago could use some depth behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo at edge rusher, and Stewart would provide that. The 21-year-old also has the versatility to play on the interior of the defensive line, so he would be a valuable piece on Dennis Allen’s defense.
It would be shocking if the Bengals don’t eventually sign Stewart to his deal. However, a trade to the Bears is in the realm of possibilities for the disgruntled rookie defender.
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