Lawrence acknowledged the interest in switching to No. 97 during his introductory press conference, noting that he plans to speak with Stewart to see what he wants to do. “There’s been questions. I want to get it. I know Stewart, he had it last year or has it right now, but I’m going to speak to him and see what he wants to do,” he said.
jersey-number swaps have a history in the league. In 2004, Clinton Portis reportedly offered a large payment to switch to No. 26 in Washington, though the exchange ultimately didn’t go smoothly. Other cases exist with the Giants, including involving punter Jeff Feagles and wide receivers who swapped numbers for favors or payments, sometimes with mixed results or unresolved promises.
Sports Illustrated singled out Stewart as a notable draft miss after last year’s class, ranking him as the top miss. Selected 17th overall out of Texas A&M, Stewart didn’t sign promptly, appeared in eight games, and posted modest production. With Trey Hendrickson departing in free agency, the Bengals are hoping Stewart develops into a disruptive force up front.
Even if Lawrence covets No. 97, it isn’t guaranteed he’ll get it. Team policies and player negotiations often determine number assignments, and first-round picks typically bring some leverage but not an automatic claim. The outcome will depend on discussions between Lawrence, Stewart, and the Bengals’ organization.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how Cincinnati resolves the No. 97 situation and how Lawrence and Stewart adapt to their new roles, with fans and analysts watching to see if the jersey number becomes a sideshow or a stepping-stone for on-field success.
