Some tough decisions make themselves.

The Cincinnati Bengals knew Jonah Williams was destined to leave eventually. The writing was on the wall as soon as Orlando Brown Jr. took his job at left tackle nearly one year ago, and a trade request followed. 

But Williams toughed it out at a new position, and was rewarded so handsomely that the Bengals don't even have to fret about letting him walk. 

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Jonah Williams cashes in out west

Williams is signing with the Arizona Cardinals for two years and $30 million including $19 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's essentially the contract the Bengals gave Brown Jr. last year, but cut in half in terms of total value and length.  

Former Bengals OT Jonah Williams is signing a two-year, $30 million deal that includes $19 million guaranteed with the Arizona Cardinals, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024

$15 million a year seems like a lot because that's what it takes to pay starting offensive linemen nowadays. Look no further than some of the massive deals starting-level guards have gotten this week.

Accounting for the jump in the salary cap, this deal rivals what Joseph Noteboom and Austin Jackson got in their recent contracts, which is the tier we speculated Williams would find himself landing in. 

It's a good deal for Williams and fits his value, but it's a deal the Bengals are better off passing on. Two reasons stand out.

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Bengals are already spending plenty of cash on the o-line 

You can only throw so much money at a position group. The Bengals are on the hook for Brown's contract at the other tackle spot for three more years, they're paying decent coin for right guard Alex Cappa, and Ted Karras is getting a good payday for the final year of his deal as well.

Inking $19 million guaranteed for another starter would've been a heavy price to pay, especially with needs elsewhere on the roster. 

This isn't to say right tackle isn't a need, it absolutely stands out among the current weaknesses if the team had to play today. Cody Ford, who just signed a one-year deal worth slightly more than veteran minimum, would be Brown's bookend. Not ideal against the AFC North.

Williams had his moments for Cincinnati, but struggling against divisional foes became what he was known for with his critics. Struggling to contain the likes of Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, and the rest of the elite pass rushers of the North consistently tanked Williams' production as a pass protector.

And there's nothing wrong with accepting Williams as an average starter that you could upgrade from given the chance. The Bengals will get that chance in a few weeks.

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All eyes are on the NFL Draft for a new right tackle

The Bengals will surely sign a placeholder at the position before the draft arrives in late April, but the only chance they have of finding a true upgrade over Williams in the long term is taking a swing with the 18th overall pick. 

If there's any position that stands out the most in this year's crop of prospects, it's offensive tackle. At least half a dozen are projected to go in the first round, which has the Bengals in prime position to get one of them before the dust settles.

Finding a younger player with a higher ceiling than Williams ever had is the Bengals' best chance of better protecting Burrow on the edge against the teams that give them the most trouble. 

It's a wiser, and more affordable plan than paying Williams to be average for two more years. 

Williams was also a first-round pick five years ago, which was also a factor in how he was perceived as a player. He never developed into a high-end player, but he absolutely reached his floor as a solid starter. It's why he got paid by a tackle-needy team. 

The Bengals are also right to look elsewhere in the hopes of becoming better.

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