According to a report, the New York Giants have a surplus of cornerbacks and could use additional edge rush depth. The Bengals, meanwhile, could use help in the slot and are not using Turner frequently. A deal between the two teams has been floated.
The proposed trade would send Stewart to the Giants in exchange for cornerback Dru Phillips, the Giants’ sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft (acquired from the Jaguars), and the Giants’ fourth-round pick in the 2028 draft. The idea is that Phillips brings immediate NFL experience and can start right away for Cincinnati, while Stewart, a former first-round pick, would gain a fresh start with a new team.
Stewart has struggled to translate elite size and speed into consistent production at the NFL level. In his rookie season, he played 280 snaps, delivering 13 pressures but only one sack, and posted a disappointing PFF grade of 41. Health has also been a factor this year, with limited playing time in several early games. Cincinnati has added Boye Mafe in free agency, who leads the team in snaps, followed by Myles Murphy, who is beginning to show progress. Cashius Howell, a rookie second-round pick, has impressed through five weeks, while Cedric Johnson provides depth as a fourth rusher. With this depth chart, Stewart has not carved out a significant role.
For the Giants, the loss of Brian Burns has left a void on the edge, and Kayvon Thibodeaux is in the final year of his rookie contract. Adding Stewart could provide veteran-like depth to help replace Burns this season, while also giving the team a young, high-upside option to eventually pair with Thibodeaux in the future. The Giants currently rotate Greg Newsome, Deontae Banks, and rookie Colton Hood on the outside, with Phillips operating in the slot. Moving Phillips into a larger outside role could further strengthen the outside corner positions, while adding depth in the slot where Cincinnati has shown needs.
Phillips is a three-year starter, and while he was not brought in by the current Giants regime, his experience could be valuable in a role that aligns with Cincinnati’s needs. The deal would require cooperation from both sides, ensuring that both teams gain meaningful value from any potential trade.
Note: This summary reflects trade speculation and analysis from various sources discussing possible organizational moves around the trade deadline.
