Joe Burrow gives Shemar Stewart an 8-word message after meeting the Bengals' newest NFL Draft pick
Drafting Shemar Stewart gives the Cincinnati Bengals someone who will look to sack the other quarterback in the game who's not Joe Burrow. There will be other tasks for Stewart to fulfill as a rookie, but getting after the opposing quarterback will garner the attention of many during his first season in Cincinnati. Burrow himself […]
Drafting Shemar Stewart gives the Cincinnati Bengals someone who will look to sack the other quarterback in the game who's not Joe Burrow.
There will be other tasks for Stewart to fulfill as a rookie, but getting after the opposing quarterback will garner the attention of many during his first season in Cincinnati.
Burrow himself made this message loud and clear upon meeting his new teammate for the first time.
Joe Burrow's introductory message to Shemar Stewart
Stewart set foot inside the Bengals' locker room for the first time Friday afternoon and ran into his new QB. Burrow introduced himself and gave Stewart a simple message after introducing himself to the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"Let's get some sacks this year, let's go!"
Sacks will indeed be the story of Stewart's young career. The 21-year old only produced 4.5 of them in three years at Texas A&M, but his top-tier speed and explosion for his size is what made him a first-round pick Thursday night. That and the disruption he provided against SEC-level competition.
"You can look at a stat sheet but you've got to look at the film first," Stewart said in the locker room. "I led my team in pressures. With [Texas A&M] being the best d-line in the SEC, people are trying to not throw the ball against us, and me still being able to do that.
"I just have to work on my technique all the way to the quarterback."
Production questions have followed Stewart throughout the pre-draft process, but the Bengals are betting on the rare traits he possesses as a young player. It's up to defensive coordinator Al Golden and his staff to maximize Stewart's potential.
And by doing so, he'll get those sacks Burrow is expecting.
Grading the Bengals drafting Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
Cincinnati took a gamble with its first-round pick.
