The Cincinnati Bengals made the first move of the legal tampering period, agreeing to terms on a four-year deal worth $40 million for right guard, Alex Cappa, who previously spent four years with the Buccaneers. With Cappa now donning the stripes in 2022 and beyond and manning right guard, what should the Bengals do with Jackson Carman?
As we know, Carman was a second-round pick less than a year ago and it has not gone according to plan. He played left tackle at Clemson and Cincinnati drafted him with the intent to kick him inside to guard. Carman didn’t win the right guard job out of training camp but he ended up starting there as early as Week 3.
After testing positive for COVID-19 in Week 6, however, Carman never fully retained the job again. He and Hakeem Adeniji rotated at the position with Adeniji getting the edge in the Super Bowl and not performing well under the brightest of lights.
Cappa gives Cincinnati their right guard of the future but now the Bengals have to decide what to do with Carman.
Alex Cappa will immediately slot as the starting RG.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) March 14, 2022
Last two years in Tampa played over 1,000 snaps each season.
Cappa didn't allow a sack in 2020. Five last year, but both seasons graded in top 20 of all guards.
What will the Bengals do with Jackson Carman?
There are a few options here for Carman now that right guard has been locked up by Cappa.
The first and most likely is that Carman will move back to the left side and compete for the starting left guard job. If Quinton Spain is re-signed, he’ll be the favorite to get that starting gig but it’s not a guarantee by any means. It’s also possible that the stripes draft a potential left guard (Zion Johnson, for instance) who Carman could battle it out with.
Another potential option, and not the most likely one, is that Carman could move back to the tackle spot. He played left tackle at Clemson and that’s probably not a realistic option for him but perhaps right tackle could be? The team needs a right tackle and Carman played on the right side last year so maybe the transition wouldn’t be as difficult.
The third option is that Carman rides the bench. He didn’t impress as a rookie and now that Cappa is in town, his position is officially not up for grabs anymore. The Bengals might find Carman’s best fit is to back up Cappa moving forward.
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What do you think Jackson Carman’s role will be in 2022 and beyond?