A productive, experienced starting left tackle could soon be on the move in surprising fashion.
Jonah Williams, who has started 47 games at left tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals since being a 2019 first-round draft pick, has reportedly requested a trade. This comes after the Bengals signed star left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year, $64 million deal earlier this week.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport broke the news of Williams’ trade request Friday morning.
After missing his rookie season due to injury, Williams settled into left tackle for the Bengals rather nicely. That made the decision to sign Brown Jr. to a big contract a rather curious one by Cincinnati. It came just one year after the Bengals signed right tackle La’el Collins to a lucrative contract in free agency.
Williams played more than 1,100 snaps in back-to-back seasons and graded out at a 77.1 in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus, and a 63.9 in 2022. Over the last two seasons, Williams has been charged with 20 sacks allowed, including a career-worst 12 in 2022.
Williams has allowed 23 career sacks and 105 total pressures.
The Bengals were planning to flip Williams to right tackle after Collins was a profound disappointment and struggled with injuries in 2022. But those plans could be scrapped following Williams’ trade request.
Williams is scheduled to earn $12,604,000 in 2023, the final year of his rookie contract, after the Bengals picked up his fifth-year option.
