Dexter Lawrence already mentoring Shemar Stewart, other Bengals

When the Cincinnati Bengals made a generational leaving-of-comfort-zone trade for Dexter Lawrence, it wasn’t just about the on-field play.

It was about getting another leader in the room, too.

Lawrence is already having that impact on the Bengals in May, surprising some such as head coach Zac Taylor by even being present at workouts.

The impact on impressionable younger players like Shemar Stewart, it seems, has been profound.

Stewart has already admitted that Lawrence has made it clear he’s going to push him to be better.

"He definitely came up to me and said he's going to push me,” Stewart said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Some days, I'm going to hate him, but it's going to be for the better. He's going to come in and try and push me to be the best version of myself."

It’s not just typical player-speak in interviews. And it’s not just limited to first-contract players attempting to find their way in the pros.

Boye Mafe, a guy the Bengals just gave a three-year, $60 million contract, also finds Lawrence’s presence a motivating factor.

"When you see a guy of his caliber work it the way he works it makes everybody understand you have to be up to your game," Mafe told Hobson.

Myles Murphy, a former first-rounder who just had his fifth-year option declined, hit on similar notes since Lawrence’s arrival.

"He asks a lot of questions. As a coach, that's exactly what you want," Murphy said, per Hobson. "Shows he's in tune. Actually locked in. Very motivating to have in the room."