Cincinnati Bengals Trigger Brutal Position Battle Ahead of OTAs<\/h2>\n
Offensive line coach Frank Pollack has brought a far more aggressive blocking scheme to Cincinnati.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAt the beginning of free agency, the organization fairly expectedly decided to move on from former first-round pick\u00a0Jonah Williams.\u00a0 After all, the Alabama product showed on countless occasions that he simply couldn\u2019t hold up against the elite pass-rushing talent in the AFC.\u00a0 To replace him, Cincinnati went down two distinct paths this offseason.<\/p>\n
First, they brought in veteran swing tackle\u00a0Trent Brown\u00a0to stabilize a long-time concern for the team.\u00a0 Brown has demonstrated that he is capable of playing at the Pro Bowl level after he was honored with the all-star status in 2019.\u00a0 Since then, he has struggled to remain healthy, and even with his pedigree, he was only able to sign a contract with Cincinnati several weeks after the initiation of free agency for a meager 4 million dollars.<\/p>\n
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) in action during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOn top of acquiring Brown, the franchise invested heavily in the offensive tackle position by drafting University of Georgia superstar\u00a0Amarius Mims\u00a0with the 18th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.\u00a0 Mims looked like the real deal last season for Georgia and even though he only played in eight games, he was an absolute superstar playing at the highest level of collegiate football.\u00a0 At 6\u20198\u2033 and 340 pounds, Mims has both the technical and physical skills to be a long-term competitor at the right tackle position.<\/p>\n
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile both tackles would likely be adequate solutions on the right side of the offensive line, there is an inherent risk present.\u00a0 While a competition battle may be beneficial to both parties, there is always a possibility that the competition could prevent cohesion amongst the offensive line, particularly with center\u00a0Ted Karras\u00a0and right guard\u00a0Alex Cappa.\u00a0 Since both players will likely be dramatic improvements over last year, it is important for the Cincinnati Bengals to work this out quickly.<\/p>\n
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe long-term solution is clearly going to be the promising youngster Mims.\u00a0 That means in the event of a likely tie between the players in training camp, Pollack will go with Mims in order to get the former Bulldog as much professional experience as he can early on.\u00a0 While keeping a quality swing tackle on the roster would be beneficial, particularly with Mims injury-plagued 2023 season at Georgia, there may be better alternatives.<\/p>\n
Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile his demand never really materialized during the free agency window, an experienced and capable offensive tackle like Brown on a four-million-dollar contract is a steal.\u00a0 While it might be beneficial to keep him, there could be a desperate team at the beginning or even middle of the season next year that would trade a second or third-round pick for the accomplished goliath.\u00a0 That way, Cincinnati could clear the field at right tackle for Mims to step into the role and also build valuable draft capital.\u00a0 Even though they signed Brown just months ago, the cheap contract would be considered a win for a relatively high pick.<\/p>\n
While there have been major concerns in the past, this certainly isn\u2019t a problem that Cincinnati is upset about having.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of free agency, the organization fairly expectedly decided to move on from former first-round pick\u00a0Jonah Williams.\u00a0 After all, the Alabama product showed on countless occasions that he simply couldn\u2019t hold up against the elite pass-rushing talent in the AFC.\u00a0 To replace him, Cincinnati went down two distinct paths this offseason.<\/p>\n
First, they brought in veteran swing tackle\u00a0Trent Brown\u00a0to stabilize a long-time concern for the team.\u00a0 Brown has demonstrated that he is capable of playing at the Pro Bowl level after he was honored with the all-star status in 2019.\u00a0 Since then, he has struggled to remain healthy, and even with his pedigree, he was only able to sign a contract with Cincinnati several weeks after the initiation of free agency for a meager 4 million dollars.<\/p>\n On top of acquiring Brown, the franchise invested heavily in the offensive tackle position by drafting University of Georgia superstar\u00a0Amarius Mims\u00a0with the 18th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.\u00a0 Mims looked like the real deal last season for Georgia and even though he only played in eight games, he was an absolute superstar playing at the highest level of collegiate football.\u00a0 At 6\u20198\u2033 and 340 pounds, Mims has both the technical and physical skills to be a long-term competitor at the right tackle position.<\/p>\n While both tackles would likely be adequate solutions on the right side of the offensive line, there is an inherent risk present.\u00a0 While a competition battle may be beneficial to both parties, there is always a possibility that the competition could prevent cohesion amongst the offensive line, particularly with center\u00a0Ted Karras\u00a0and right guard\u00a0Alex Cappa.\u00a0 Since both players will likely be dramatic improvements over last year, it is important for the Cincinnati Bengals to work this out quickly.<\/p>\n The long-term solution is clearly going to be the promising youngster Mims.\u00a0 That means in the event of a likely tie between the players in training camp, Pollack will go with Mims in order to get the former Bulldog as much professional experience as he can early on.\u00a0 While keeping a quality swing tackle on the roster would be beneficial, particularly with Mims injury-plagued 2023 season at Georgia, there may be better alternatives.<\/p>\n While his demand never really materialized during the free agency window, an experienced and capable offensive tackle like Brown on a four-million-dollar contract is a steal.\u00a0 While it might be beneficial to keep him, there could be a desperate team at the beginning or even middle of the season next year that would trade a second or third-round pick for the accomplished goliath.\u00a0 That way, Cincinnati could clear the field at right tackle for Mims to step into the role and also build valuable draft capital.\u00a0 Even though they signed Brown just months ago, the cheap contract would be considered a win for a relatively high pick.<\/p>\n While there have been major concerns in the past, this certainly isn\u2019t a problem that Cincinnati is upset about having.<\/p>\n