Unfortunate circumstance becomes a blessing in disguise for Bengals’ preseason standout
Jacob Bayer wasn’t thought to be here back in the spring. The former UDFA who joined the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad midway through last season is leaving the preseason on the Bengals’ 53-man roster, but an injury played a factor.
Jacob Bayer wasn’t thought to be here back in the spring. The former UDFA who joined the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad midway through last season entered training camp as an afterthought in a numbers game.
He’s leaving the preseason as one of the most pleasant surprises on the Bengals’ 53-man roster.
Bayer started training camp as the backup center behind Ted Karras. He embraced the role with fourth-round pick Connor Lew, while healthy enough to practice, being eased back from the torn ACL he suffered last year at Auburn. The Bengals wanted to be cautious with Lew’s workload, and Bayer was their only option.
When Lew didn’t play in the first preseason game, Bayer stepped in as the second-team center and looked really good. Bayer continued to impress for the remainder of the preseason at both C and left guard.
Showing that versatility was required for Bayer to stick around, but it may not have been enough without something happening completely outside of his control.
Brian Parker II’s injury keeps the door open for Jacob Bayer
The path to Bayer making the roster became clearer when Brian Parker II landed on Injured Reserve to start the season. Parker appeared to injure his leg in the final preseason game, which is why Jalen Rivers wound up finishing at right guard after starting at tackle.
That injury changed the roster math entirely. Cincinnati has kept both Rivers and Javon Foster as the swing tackle battle may still be up in the air. Parker was a lock to make the cut along with Lew. Add in the starting five, and that’s nine right there.
Bayer was at best the ninth offensive lineman and could’ve been No. 10 if Parker stayed healthy. Keeping 10 would’ve been tough with five tight ends, and 11 defensive linemen making it through. The Bengals now enter the season with just nine as Parker will not count against the roster for a minimum four weeks. That means Bayer is here for at least the next month, barring any subsequent and unexpected moves.
Bayer has more than earned his place
I think Bayer is one of the Bengals’ top-eight o-linemen right now. His preseason certainly backs that up. Only Parker (107) and Rivers (101) had more pass-blocking snaps than the 23-year-old this month. Bayer allowed a whopping zero pressures, while the other two combined to allow 12, per Pro Football Focus.
Those reps weren’t the product of draft status or past play. Bayer was thrown into the fire, and he was as cool as could be. Rivers, last year’s fifth-round pick, struggled as a player Cincy would like to keep developing. Bayer was better than him over the last three weeks, and it wasn’t particularly close.
Bayer should stick around even after Parker comes back from his injury. They’re each capable of playing center and guard, and the more versatility on the bench, the better. We don’t know how long Parker will be out with whatever leg injury he sustained, but Bayer has made his case for a longer stay on the active roster.
What Bayer means for the Bengals’ offensive line depth
Bayer gives the Bengals a useful insurance policy as the regular season begins. His presence gives Cincinnati another option to back up Karras if Lew needs more time, and he can be the swing backup for multiple interior spots Parker is when healthy.
The backup swing tackle battle may need more time, but the Bengals have their interior set behind Karras and the starting guards thanks to Bayer.
For a player very little expected to make the roster, Bayer has turned a productive offseason into a special opportunity.
