Bengals veteran requests trade following major free agent signing
A shake-up at offensive line for the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams has requested a trade.
Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Bengals' left tackle for the last three years is wanting out of the Queen City.
Williams, a first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, has been the Bengals' left tackle ever since he made his debut in 2020. He's made 47 starts in the past three seasons for Cincinnati.
As a second-year player in 2020, Williams performed admirably on an offensive line that was borderline atrocious. He was penalized just twice and ended up with a 75.8 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
Unfortunately, the past two years haven't been as good for the former Alabama lineman. His penalties and pressure rate have both increased over the past two seasons. Nevertheless, the Bengals stuck by him as their left tackle, and placed the fifth-year option on his last offseason.
Injuries have also plagued Williams' young career. The 25-year old suffered two knee dislocations in the past six months, and had other lower-body ailments previously. He entered the NFL with a shoulder issue that ultimately knocked him out of his rookie season before it began.
What's been consistent is Williams' desire to stay at left tackle. He's played the position since 2017 as a sophomore for the Crimson Tide, and the Bengals have never had any intention of moving him up until the signing of Orlando Brown Jr. this week. Brown will indeed take over at Williams' position, and this is Williams' response to the move.
When healthy, Williams is a league-average left tackle. He wins against pass-rushers he should beat, and is liable to get beaten by the league's best off the edge. There's still value in a player like that, and for just $12.6 million this season, another team can start him at the position.
