After a stunning performance in week eight against the Titans, the Cincinnati Bengals have some decisions to make along the offensive line.
The Cincinnati Bengals shocked nearly everyone in week eight, taking it to the AFC South conference-leading Tennessee Titans to secure their second victory of the season. They did so behind a battered offensive line that featured four guys that weren’t among the starters a week prior.
Almost unbelievably, it was perhaps the best performance in the trenches that the Queen City has witnessed throughout the 2020 campaign. Former first-round pick Billy Price played admirably, right tackle Fred Johnson bounced back after a poor showing at guard, Quinton Spain looked great despite being in the building for just a few days, and Hakeem Adeniji held his own as a rookie.
All in all, they ensured their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, wasn’t sacked once. Of course, some of that has to be attributed to the LSU product’s elusiveness, but it’s still impressive nonetheless. It’s the type of performance that will raise questions heading into the bye week.
Who do the Bengals go with among the starting five now?
At the beginning of the season, the starters along the trenches were set in stone before a single training camp snap was taken. Now, however, injuries and free-agent acquisitions have opened up a new world of possibilities.
For starters, who lines up at guard once everybody is back healthy? Quinton Spain signed with the club expecting to be a starter, so you have to think he gets the nod at one of the spots.
It will be a battle between Michael Jordan and Xavier Su’a-Filo, once he returns healthy. Do the Bengals opt for Jordan to continue building momentum and attempting to capitalize on his potential? Or do they go with the more sure thing in Su’a-Filo?
There are questions to be raised at right tackle now as well. Bobby Hart has notoriously drawn the ire of the fan base, especially after such a poor start to the season. However, down the stretch, he was playing much better and grading out as Cincinnati’s best offensive lineman in some cases. Plus, the team likes the energy he brings.
On the other hand, Fred Johnson and Hakeem Adeniji are intriguing options in their own right. Johnson is a mammoth of a man and clearly performs much better at tackle than guard. Was his performance on Sunday enough to solidify a spot with the starters?
Adeniji showed some promise in his starting debut too. Is it worth continuing to develop him in the hopes that he can blossom into an above-average starter?
No matter who the Bengals end up going with, priority number one is protecting Joe Burrow in the present. However, priority number two is evaluating what they have on the roster to determine what they need to get this offseason.
Burrow has proved himself as a star, now it’s time for the front office to look at what pieces they need to get around him to build a contender.