Shemar Stewart should’ve been out on the practice field with his Cincinnati Bengals teammates preparing to take on his rookie season.
Instead, the 2025 first-round pick was away from the team while trying to work out a contract dispute with the Bengals. The disagreement is due to Cincinnati’s efforts to include language that would allow them to void future guarantees in the deal.
Stewart has stated that he will not practice or play unless this clause is removed, and the Bengals haven’t shown a willingness to budge, either.
It would be unprecedented, but it remains possible that the Bengals could decide to trade Stewart if neither side is willing to give in. If the team does trade Stewart, the move will have to be done by the first week of August.
Ethan Inman of Heavy Sports believes the San Francisco 49ers make sense as a trade partner for the Bengals if that scenario unfolds.
Inman pointed out that many 49ers insiders reported on the team’s interest in Stewart prior to the draft, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team remain interested.
If the 49ers were as high on Stewart as these insiders suggest, that he was worthy of consideration for the 11th overall pick, then it makes perfect sense for the 49ers to part with their second round selection next season to get a second top-20 talent from this past NFL Draft.
The 49ers would also need to consider Stewart’s contract against the salary cap; he would likely command a four-year deal for around $19 million. The 49ers have already gone through a roster crunch this offseason due to salary cap constraints.
But in the NFL, nothing is better than young, cheap talent. With Stewart’s potential, the 49ers could strike gold if they can coax the Bengals to part ways with Stewart for a second round pick.
Inman suggested the 49ers give up a 2026 second-round pick for Stewart, which could end up being a bargain for a talent like Texas A&M product.
Stewart never produced much in college, but he tested off the charts in the pre-draft process and is a physical freak. Because of his traits, Stewart was thought of as one of the top edge-rusher prospects in the 2025 draft.
In San Francisco, Stewart would join fellow 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams and Nick Bosa on the edge. Bosa is one of the best pass-rushers in the league and Williams has sky-high potential.
Those elite 49ersteams of the 2010s had a stable of quality pass-rushers, and you can never have too much pressure off the edge.
However, the 49ers did recently trade for Bryce Huff from the Eagles, as well. Huff has had double-digit sacks in a season before, and has a cap hit of around $8 million in 2025.
After just giving up a mid-round pick, the Niners may not want to give up more draft capital at that position.
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