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Shemar Stewart is ready for a breakout season after a lost rookie season
May 28, 2026Charean WilliamsPro Football Talk
Getting things ready
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Bengals coach Zac Taylor said earlier this offseason that Shemar Stewart's development is a " priority " for the team. The Bengals drafted Stewart in the first round in 2205, but his rookie season was marred by missed time, because of a contract dispute, as well as injuries. He had a lingering ankle injury early in the season and a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Week 9. He appeared in eight games with six tackles and a sack. “Last year I would go out there, and I’m saying, ‘I somewhat know what I need to do, but I’m not 100 percent sure ,'” Stewart said this week, via Jay Morrison of SI.com. “And then I go out there and I overthink. Then I don’t make a play. Then it’s just a whole lot of things because I’m just too up in here.” Stewart has formed a close relationship with defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, which he thinks will help in his development. “I think I got my first ‘good job,’ from Jerry,” Stewart said. “That’s my guy. He never gave up on me. Always held me close even though when I wasn’t performing good, he always stood by me.” Stewart does not project as a starter for the Bengals with free-agent signee Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy expected to hold those spots. But the Bengals still have big expectations for Stewart. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do, but I’m so excited to play with these guys,” Stewart said. “We got two monsters added to the room, so I can’t wait to see how this year turns out.”