The Cincinnati Bengals' biggest weakness in 2021 was easily the offensive line.

Quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 70 times last season — including 19 times in the playoffs.

That's obviously not a recipe for success.

Former Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Trey Hopkins, who played at center last season, was one of the biggest culprits for the Bengals' poor offensive line play in 2021.

Hopkins had a Pro Football Focus grade of 51.4 last season (that's not very good). He also allowed four sacks in 2021.

As a result, Hopkins is a candidate to be released by Cincinnati this offseason.

The Bengals could save nearly $6 million if they choose to release Hopkins before next season (his cap savings are the same before and after June 1).

Cincinnati obviously wants to revamp their offensive line this offseason, but there's only so much they can do. So it's not automatic that Hopkins will be released.

If Hopkins sticks on the Bengals roster, it will give him 17 games to prove that he should be back with Cincy in 2023.

Hopkins likely wants to return to Cincinnati, the franchise that drafted him in 2014. But another year of a 51.4 grade isn't going to be attractive to the Bengals.

The one way that Hopkins can ensure that he's back in Cincinnati in 2023 is to go back to being a versatile option — playing at either guard or center, as he did earlier in his career.

Offensive linemen who are versatile are a dream for NFL franchises. Hopkins may get booted from a starting role, but that's probably the one way he sticks with the Bengals beyond this season.

Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports