The real challenge behind fixing the Bengals offensive line

The Cincinnati Bengals are getting ready to enter the meat of the NFL offseason in the unfamiliar spot of falling just a couple of minutes short of the Lombardi trophy. However, they face the familiar issue of needing to fix the offensive line.

Joe Burrow suffered a torn ACL in week 11 as a rookie. Protecting him was a top priority going into 2021. Despite the Super Bowl run, the Bengals allowed 70 sacks of Burrow last year. Mission not accomplished.

But the offensive line issues really date back to the end of the Andy Dalton era. Contrary to popular belief, Cincinnati’s front office has not ignored the offensive line. What is actually going on is a much harder issue to solve.

Here is every offensive lineman the Bengals have drafted in the first five rounds since 2015:

• Cedric Ogbuehi- Started 25 games over four seasons with the Bengals. Cincinnati declined his fifth-year option. He only played in two games in 2018, his final season in stripes.
• Jake Fisher- 12 starts in four seasons in Cincinnati
• J. J. Dielman- Failed to make the roster after being drafted in the 5th round in 2017
• Billy Price- Started 19 games in three seasons with the Bengals. Traded to the Giants for B.J. Hill before the 2021 season. Hill contributed 5.5 sacks to Cincinnati’s Super Bowl runner-up season.
• Christian Westerman- Two starts in three seasons with the Bengals.
• Jonah Williams- Has struggled with injuries since being a first-round pick in 2019. Started all 16 games at tackle for the first time in 2021 while allowing just eight sacks.
• Michael Jordan- 19 starts at left guard over two seasons before being waived by the Bengals prior to the 2021 season.
• Jackson Carman- Played in all 17 games as a rookie in 2021 but only earned a Pro Football Focus grade of just over 56 on a scale of 100.

Outside of Williams playing decent last year and Carman still being young enough to maybe develop into something, that is a whole lot of nothing and a big reason why the Bengals posted losing seasons from 2016 to 2020.

When the Bengals go outside the draft to fortify the offensive line in recent years, bright spots are equally hard to come by. Trey Hopkins made the roster after going undrafted in 2014 and has done an admirable job playing all over the line ever since. However, there are rumors that last year’s starting center may be cut.

Guard Quinton Spain came over on a waiver claim from Buffalo in October 2020 and has turned into arguably the team’s best linemen. However, he is set to be a free agent this offseason. Riley Reiff came to Cincinnati via free agency before last season. The right tackle struggled to stay healthy though.

So, even the Bengals’ decent non-draft offensive line moves have strings attached. Also, guys like Bobby Hart, Cordy Glenn, and Xavier  Su’a-Filo were disastrous adds who are no longer with the team and are punchlines in the minds of the fanbase.

What does it all mean for the Bengals?

In short, the Bengals have not ignored the trenches on offense. As an organization, they are simply bad at evaluating that position group and getting the best out of those players. It isn’t uncommon for certain franchises to struggle with certain positions.

There is good news and bad news that comes with that. The good news is it only takes one offseason to get it right. The bad news is that problem is much harder to make go away than the issue of “ignoring” the big men upfront.

Regardless, everyone involved with the Bengals must realize that they are not getting back to the Super Bowl if Burrow goes down anywhere close to 70 times in 2022.