Bengals Training Camp: Jackson Carman has the edge in LG battle

Left guard is the only position on the offensive line that doesn’t have a surefire starter entering Bengals training camp. Jackson Carman is the favorite to win the job. 

As we inch closer to the start of Cincinnati Bengals training camp, one position that is going to be focused on heavily this summer is left guard. The organization went to work on addressing the rest of the offensive line this offseason, bringing in a new center, right guard, and right tackle for the 2022 season.

With Jonah Williams returning to man the left tackle position once again, that leaves left guard as the only spot that has a potential starting vacancy. Last year’s second-round pick Jackson Carman is the favorite to win the left guard job but fourth-round rookie Cordell Volson is very much in the mix.

While speaking with the media on Monday morning, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was asked about the left guard job and said that Carman “has the edge” because of his experience.  He also noted that it’s going to be a fun battle.

Bengals Training Camp: Jackson Carman holding down LG job for now

Carman played left tackle at Clemson but when the Bengals drafted him in round two last year, they knew he wouldn’t be sticking at tackle. They always planned to move him inside to guard and right guard is eventually where he played at but sparingly.

Carman and Hakeem Adeniji split time at right guard during the back half of the season but with Alex Cappa signed to play right guard, it’s left guard or nothing for Carman.

As for Volson, the Bengals spent a fourth-round pick on the North Dakota State product with the hopes that he could provide a solid depth piece for the new-look o-line. He’ll battle it out with Carman throughout training camp for the left guard job and if he impresses, perhaps he can edge out the second-year player.

It feels like the left guard job is Carman’s to lose but maybe, just maybe, Cordell Volson can shake things up this summer.