Packers a Potential Trade Spot for Disgruntled DE Shemar Stewart

There is a bizarre standoff in Cincinnati, one that could interest the Packers. There, Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart is refusing to sign his new contract with the team that drafted him using the No. 17 overall pick in the draft. Normally, the signing of first-round picks is pretty standard business, because rookie contracts are worked out on a scale agreed to by the league and union in the collective bargaining agreement.

The Bengals took Stewart 17th, which means he is due four years and $18.9 million.

But, apparently, the Bengals have tried to include some language that would allow them to wriggle out of the contract should Stewart get into trouble, on or off the field. Stewart objects to the language and is holding fast to his unwillingness to sign the deal. Thus far, the Bengals are not budging, either, on their insistence that the language remain.

After Stewart took shots at the Bengals then left last week’s minicamp early, it became clear that there may not be a resolution to the issue, which could either leave Stewart to make the wild choice of sitting out 2025 and re-entering the 2026 draft, or pushing for a trade.

‘Packers Could Send Lucas Van Ness and a 3rd-round Pick’

A trade would be more beneficial to both sides, obviously. With that in mind, NFL analyst Mitch Milani of Bleacher Report went through a handful of teams that should consider making a deal for Stewart.

The Packers were No. 2 on the list, behind only the Bears. Milani theorizes that the packers could send out 2023 first-rounder Lucas Van Ness and a 2026 third-rounder for Stewart.

He explained: “The Green Bay Packers could send Lukas Van Ness and a third-round pick for Shemar Stewart. Van Ness hasn’t exactly worked out as a first-round talent for the Packers—good against the run, steady player, he could help the Bengals, for sure. And, maybe, even be a better player for the Bengals, which is why they would be interested.

“At the same time, they need to boost this pass rush, add some upside for this Packers defense. And Stewart might be a better fit for this current version of this Packers defense.”

Shemar Stewart ‘Carved From Granite’

Van Ness has played all 34 games since he was drafted, and has logged 7.0 sacks in those games. He posted a 52.9 PFF grade in 2024, which was No. 107 out of 119 edge rushers. The Packers need better.

Stewart could, indeed, be better. But he’s no sure thing, either.

“Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside,” the NFL.com scouting report writes. “He’s long and sudden off the snap but hasn’t learned to weaponize his hands to control the point of attack and bypass protection with go-to moves. His bull-rush compresses the pocket off the edge, and he’s too athletic for guards when reduced inside. He can be very disruptive in both phases but requires additional training to start converting his opportunities into finishes. The lack of production relative to the traits is a concern; still, players who move like him are highly coveted.”