It was curious to see Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart appear in trade rumors recently.
Granted, those were more speculation than actual rumors, if we’re being honest, but Stewart’s name was floated around trade deadline buzz.
A new bit of reporting, though, pretty much shuts things down.
Writing about the top 25 trade candidates at the deadline, ESPN’sMatt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler ranked Stewart No. 15, but added this important context: “Stewart is a name a few teams have had circled as a possibility for weeks, and teams predict a Day 3 pick would be the most likely value.”
That should mercifully end any and all trade speculation around Stewart. He doesn’t have much value as a trade asset and the Bengals aren’t going to jump at the chance
to trade a guy they drafted in the top 20 for a Day 3 pick.
Unfortunately, Stewart was inactive during the Bengals’ last game because he can’t crack the top four in the rotation on the edge. He’s played just eight snaps all year and is off to a slow start again thanks to another untimely injury, after his untimely injuries as a rookie (never mind the contract holdout).
Given the context, Stewart’s appeal to other teams is low. If the Bengals are going to make a move at the deadline, it might be as buyers at problem areas like running back, linebacker and safety. They will be more than content to be the team to keep hoping that Stewart develops while otherwise enjoying an already-deep rotation on the front seven for the first time in years.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL trade rumors put an end to Shemar Stewart speculation
