When the Cincinnati Bengals signed former Kansas City Chiefs star offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to be their new starting left tackle with Jonah Williams sliding over to right tackle, it appeared that the team had successfully bolstered its offensive line. But that might not be the case, after all.
According to a report from league insider Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network, Jonah Williams has now requested a trade from the team after the Bengals signed Orlando Brown.
“In the wake of the Orlando Brown signing, #Bengals OT Jonah Williams has requested a trade through his agent Ryan Tollner, sources say. Just 25 years old with 47 career starts at LT protecting Joe Burrow, Williams becomes the top tackle available if Cincy is willing to move on,” Rapoport said in a tweet.
Rarely are legit starting LTs available. But circumstances have changed in Cincy. Jonah Williams is due $12.6M guaranteed on his 5th year option. https://t.co/pkmT4QxS31
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2023
“Rarely are legit starting LTs available. But circumstances have changed in Cincy. Jonah Williams is due $12.6M guaranteed on his 5th year option,” Rapoport said in a follow-up tweet.
This is obviously a terrible update for the Bengals as the team has tried to build a solid offensive line around star quarterback Joe Burrow for years, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
This is what it felt like would happen.
We'll see if the Bengals even honor it.
The signing and announcement of Ford at RT feels like they will look to move Jonah. https://t.co/x0nMPz9FLk
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) March 17, 2023
The business of football, being the business of football. @bengals OT Jonah Williams has requested a trade from the team. @WLWT https://t.co/fdFjIBI9Ek
— Steven Albritton (@StevenAlbritton) March 17, 2023
Jonah Williams has a $12.6 million cap hit in 2023, which is the final year of his deal…
Imagine if the #Chiefs traded for him 🤣 https://t.co/JgYelIR0zA
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) March 17, 2023
Oh boy!!! https://t.co/h7LoY7tMFS
— Kayla Anderson ✨ (@KaylaAndersonTV) March 17, 2023
Ironic if he ends up in KC if he's cut? No way the #Bengals trade him to the #Chiefs, but that would be an interesting turn of events. https://t.co/A3prSLtlOU
— Chiefs Blitz Insider (@ChiefsInsider) March 17, 2023
Not surprising, but the #Bengals have not traditionally been an easy team to trade with over the years. It'll be interesting to see if something gets done here. https://t.co/VR1dndYCwa
— Rick Ucchino (@RickUcchino) March 17, 2023
Had a rough year, but also battled through multiple knee injuries – at least one of which looked like it would keep him out a WHILE when it happened. https://t.co/0LoIgYDBvm
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 17, 2023
It will certainly be interesting to see what the Bengals do in this situation. If they are unable to find a trade partner, there’s a chance the team simply cuts him and gets nothing in return, which is not exactly ideal either.
