A renewed sense of hope is sweeping through the halls of the Cincinnati Bengals‘ facilities, as the team looks to move past last NFL season and shift its focus toward becoming true contenders in the AFC North. Joe Burrow knows the timing is right to achieve something big — especially following the team’s latest roster additions.
One of the biggest storylines in recent weeks for Zac Taylor’s team has involved Shemar Stewart, the newly drafted player out of Texas A&M Aggies.
Fortunately for both sides, the talented defensive end was able to finalize his contract agreement, which now allows him to fully join his coach and teammates for training camp. With his arrival confirmed, the pass rusher issued a strong warning to the rest of the league about what they can expect starting in Week 1.
“I feel like I finally made it here,” the former Aggies standout said on Saturday, via the team’s official site. “Growing up, it’s like everyone else. A long shot. It’s a long shot for you to even make it. And then when you finally put it (the uniform) on, that actually makes you feel alive.”
Edge Rusher Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M poses after being selected seventeenth overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
“…Now I’ve got to make my mark. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been dreaming about this.”
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Time to get ready
The uncertainty surrounding Stewart’s contract with the Bengals led the player to hold out, choosing not to report alongside his teammates and instead beginning his conditioning work on his own.
While training at the Aggies’ facilities, the defensive end finally resolved his situation with Cincinnati. Now, the only thing left is to get fully up to speed and be available to the coaching staff so he can rejoin his teammates.
“Football is football. Only way I feel behind is if I ever question my physicality, which I don’t,” Stewart said. “Question my football abilities, which I don’t. Sure, there are going to be some days I felt like I just got beat up on, but at the end of the day, that’s football.”
“I still have a lot of work to get to that. I can’t wait for it to unfold,” he also added about his goal of delivering an outstanding rookie campaign in the NFL.
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