The Cincinnati Bengals need to upgrade their offensive line in 2022. The good news for them? This offseason is loaded on the line.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the fastest number one overall pick at the QB position to reach the Super Bowl. Although the Cincinnati Bengals fell short, they have to feel good about the future with Burrow under center.
They’ll feel even better if they can keep him upright.
The Bengals are in an unprecedented position. Their quarterback is only entering the third year of his rookie contract after being selected first overall, and they have already been to a Super Bowl. Even though the Bengals lost, the experience is extremely valuable for the young core of this team.
Cincinnati Bengals can overhaul their offensive line this offseason
The issues on the offensive line have been overblown for the Bengals. This roster was still in full-on rebuild mode last offseason when they were picking 5th overall in the NFL Draft.
This is not a situation like we had with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs last year where the Chiefs simply allocated their assets elsewhere and then had to invest in the offensive line as a response to what became a glaring weakness due to neglect.
The Bengals’ offensive line has been a consistent issue, but it’s impossible to fault them at this stage of a rebuild for not having a perfect offensive line.
Armed with over $55 million in cap space and very few pressing needs on the roster overall, the Bengals can absolutely attack their offensive line woes in free agency and put together an elite unit with the players that are set to become available in the 2022 offseason.
Let’s do what we can as armchair GMs to set up an elite offensive line for Joe Burrow to play behind in 2022 and beyond.
Cincinnati Bengals move at left tackle: Sign Terron Armstead (Saints)
The New Orleans Saints only have a month to get out of a $74 million salary cap hole, but they have been in big cap holes before and they’ve found their way out.
The real question here is, can the Saints not only get out of their salary cap hole but also address the quarterback position and re-sign players like Terron Armstead?
I’m a bit skeptical on that one.
If Armstead hits the open market, the Cincinnati Bengals need to put on the full-court press. Sure, he’s had some injury issues in the past.
He played just eight games this past season, so there will be a bit of a buyer-beware tag attached here, but Armstead is a three-time Pro Bowl player who would solidify the left tackle position for the Bengals.
Jonah Williams played some of his best football there this past season but was still a liability in pass protection at times, surrendering eight sacks on the season.
Adding Armstead would give the Bengals a true stud at the left tackle position, a player who has proven he can play at an elite level.
Cincinnati Bengals move at left guard: Move Jonah Williams inside
One of the no-brainer moves if the Cincinnati Bengals can find a preferable alternative at the left tackle position?
Move Jonah Williams inside to left guard.
The Bengals have really done Williams a solid by not already moving him inside to guard. I think most teams with Williams coming out of college at Alabama would have projected him inside at guard and you could argue he’s played left tackle in Cincinnati more out of necessity than preference.
Now is the time to kick him inside.
Williams allowed eight sacks this past season. He hasn’t been the worst left tackle in the NFL, by any means, and has probably been the Bengals’ best lineman overall.
With that said, if they have a chance to upgrade, Williams could thrive on the interior offensive line.
According to PFF, Williams was also responsible for allowing an egregious 48 QB pressures on the season.
If he can play inside, his weaknesses against speed could be mitigated.
Cincinnati Bengals move at center: Sign Ryan Jensen (Buccaneers)
There could be a lot of change for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming in the 2022 offseason.
Tom Brady has announced his retirement. Rob Gronkowski is also a free agent.
Chris Godwin got hurt late in the season and is a free agent.
Ryan Jensen’s name has gotten lost in the shuffle a bit but he’s also slated for free agency.
One of the top centers in the NFL today, Jensen would be an elite addition for the Cincinnati Bengals for their line. In today’s NFL, you’ve got to have smart offensive linemen and Jensen is just that.
He made the Pro Bowl this past season and while that may not necessarily mean anything, there’s no question about the fact that Jensen is one of the best at his position in the NFL right now.
One of the biggest and most important traits of an offensive lineman?
Availability.
Ryan Jensen has not missed a game in five years and is as durable and consistent as they come.
The Bengals would be in good hands with this guy snapping the ball to Burrow on every play.
Cincinnati Bengals move at RG: Sign Brandon Scherff (Washington)
If the Cincinnati Bengals made the first three moves on this list, their offensive line would be in pretty good shape going into next season.
They could, in theory, slide 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman into the starting lineup at right guard but there is obviously a reason that did not happen despite the necessity in 2021.
With all of their available cap space, the Bengals would be wise to just keep going big. You would ideally love to have at least one of these players on a rookie contract, but with Joe Burrow on his rookie deal for the next three seasons, you can afford to go all out.
Brandon Scherff has been paid very handsomely on the franchise tag the last few seasons by Washington, but he could finally be hitting the open market in 2022.
Scherff has been a Pro Bowl-caliber, All-Pro type of guard when he’s healthy. The problem is, he hasn’t played a full season since 2016.
Still, I think the Bengals should try to sign him and see if they can’t get a hefty majority of the next three seasons out of him.
Scherff was once a very high draft choice out of Iowa, and is a top-flight interior offensive lineman when he’s able to be on the field.
Cincinnati Bengals move at RT: Sign Morgan Moses (Jets)
Four high-profile free agent signings on the offensive line?
If you’ve got $55 million in cap space and all the flexibility you need, why not?
The Bengals could go a variety of directions on the offensive line and they could also still gamble on the NFL Draft.
Of course, they may want to allocate free agent resources at some other positions and they’ll probably franchise tag or re-sign Jessie Bates as well, but if they can find a way to maneuver around the salary cap to make all of this happen, Joe Burrow is going to be a happy man.
Not only is he going to be happy, but his uniform is going to be a lot cleaner in 2022.
Morgan Moses is one of the best right tackles in the game, and has been one of the most consistent players in terms of being available. He hasn’t missed a game since 2015.
Playing this past season for the New York Jets and playing for Washington before that, we know Moses is going to be a fine scheme fit for Zac Taylor’s offense as well.
If the Bengals are able to make all five of these moves in the 2022 offseason, their offensive line would look like this from left to right:
LT: Terron Armstead
LG: Jonah Williams
C: Ryan Jensen
RG: Brandon Scherff
RT: Morgan Moses
That kind of unit includes three Pro Bowl players as well as two guys in Williams and Moses that are rock solid.
The Bengals may need to go to the NFL Draft to fill a starting spot on the line and there’s a chance they could simply hope Jackson Carman progresses in year two, but if you’re in charge of building a wall in front of Joe Burrow for the 2022 offseason, it doesn’t get much better than this.