𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙄𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 𝙒𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙇𝘿 𝙃𝙊𝙋𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙍: 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙃𝙞𝙩 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙮𝙘𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙪𝙢 𝘼𝙨 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 (𝙉𝙁𝙇) 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙨 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙕𝙖𝙘 𝙏𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙟𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬…….

THIS IS THE BEST NEWS WE COULD HOPE FOR: Shemar Stewart Named Starting Defensive End by Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor

CINCINNATI, OH – August 7, 2025 — Thunderous cheers erupted at Paycor Stadium today as Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor made a stunning and bold announcement that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community. During a high-energy training camp press conference, Taylor declared that rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart will be the starting edge rusher for the Bengals when the 2025 NFL regular season kicks off.

“He’s earned it,” Taylor said.
“From the moment Shemar stepped into our facility, he’s shown maturity, focus, and relentless drive. He’s ready to start, and we’re excited to unleash him.”

With this decision, Stewart, the highly touted pass rusher from Texas A&M and a former top-10 recruit, becomes the first rookie defensive lineman to start for the Bengals in a Week 1 opener since Carlos Dunlap in 2010.

An Unexpected Rise

Stewart, drafted 23rd overall by the Bengals in the 2025 NFL Draft, has exceeded all expectations during rookie minicamp, OTAs, and training camp. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, with elite quickness and power, Stewart has routinely blown past veteran offensive tackles and disrupted plays in the backfield.

In joint practices earlier this week against the Chicago Bears, Stewart racked up three would-be sacks, five pressures, and a forced fumble — catching the eyes of both teammates and coaches.

“He doesn’t act like a rookie,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
“He studies like a vet, he plays like a vet, and he has that fire. You don’t teach that.”

A Culture Fit for a Contender

Coach Zac Taylor emphasized that this decision wasn’t just about athletic talent. Stewart has impressed with his leadership, humility, and desire to contribute to the team’s winning culture.

“The locker room already respects him,” Taylor said.
“He came in wanting to learn, willing to listen, and ready to compete. That’s the kind of guy we want on the field every snap.”

The Bengals, coming off a narrow loss in the AFC Divisional Round last season, are laser-focused on returning to the Super Bowl. With Pro Bowl-caliber players on both sides of the ball, including Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson, and Logan Wilson, the addition of Shemar Stewart into a starting role has fans and analysts buzzing about Cincinnati’s growing championship potential.

Fan Reaction: Hype at an All-Time High

As soon as Taylor’s announcement was made, Bengals fans took to social media in a frenzy. The hashtags #ShemarSeason and #WhoDeyDefense began trending on X (formerly Twitter), and “STEWART 55” jerseys were spotted immediately outside Paycor Stadium.

“This is the best news we could hope for. Shemar is a game-changer,” said longtime fan Brian Keller.
“That front seven is going to be terrifying.”

ESPN’s NFL Live crew also reacted with excitement:

“Shemar Stewart starting Week 1? That’s not just a coaching decision—it’s a message,” said analyst Marcus Spears.
“Cincy’s not messing around. That defense is about to take a leap.”

Mentored by the Best

Though he’s now in line to start, Stewart hasn’t done it alone. He’s credited veterans Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard for helping him transition to the NFL level. Both have taken the rookie under their wing, guiding him in technique, film study, and off-the-field preparation.

“They didn’t treat me like a rookie—they treated me like family,” Stewart said during a locker room interview.
“They showed me what it takes to be great, and now I just want to make them proud.”

Taylor confirmed that while Stewart will start on the edge, the team will rotate defensive linemen frequently to keep legs fresh and match up against opposing offenses.

What This Means for the Bengals

Defensive line depth has long been a strength of the Bengals, but Stewart’s emergence gives the team a new level of explosiveness. With Hendrickson on one side and Stewart on the other, offensive coordinators will be forced to choose their poison.

This development also creates flexibility for Lou Anarumo, known for his creative schemes and hybrid fronts. Stewart’s ability to kick inside on passing downs gives the Bengals multiple pass-rushing packages.

Looking Ahead

The Bengals open their 2025 regular season at home against the Baltimore Ravens in a primetime Sunday Night Football matchup. With MVP Lamar Jackson on the other side of the ball, Stewart’s debut will be a major test — and the entire league will be watching.

“It’s a challenge, but that’s what I want,” Stewart said, grinning.
“I came to the NFL to play against the best.”

Final Thoughts

The Cincinnati Bengals are not waiting for the future — they’re building it right now. With Zac Taylor’s bold call to start rookie Shemar Stewart, the team is sending a clear message: talent, work ethic, and performance will always win out.

As the Who Dey Nation gears up for what could be the franchise’s most promising season yet, all eyes will be on No. 55 as he takes his first NFL snaps—not as a backup, but as a starter.

Shemar Stewart’s time is now. And the Jungle is ready.

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