INDIANAPOLIS — The Bengals' offensive line has been a big topic since their 23-20 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
They were playing without three starters, including both tackles. Plenty of questions followed.
Will they have to overhaul the trenches again this offseason? Is Jackson Carman in the running for a starting job? Will Jonah Williams start at left tackle after an underwhelming 2022 season?
Some of those questions have been answered.
It sounds like four of the five starters are already set, barring something unforeseen.
"Comfortable with all those guys," offensive line coach Frank Pollack said on Wednesday afternoon. "Very comfortable with those guys. They improved over the course of the year. They got really good experience understanding what those guys can and cannot do."
Williams is recovering from knee surgery, but expected to be ready long before the start of training camp.
"If he's healthy he is [the starting left tackle], yeah," Pollack said.
The same can't be said for right tackle. The starting job appears to be wide open. La'el Collins suffered a torn ACL on Christmas Eve and underwent surgery last month. If he isn't ready for the start of the season, Hakeem Adeniji and Carman appear to be the most likely in-house candidates to fill the void.
Carman started against the Bills and Chiefs at left tackle. The Bengals are comfortable with him at both spots.
"He could be the right tackle. Absolutely. He's in the mix," Pollack said. "Hopefully LC (Collins) can make it back in time and who knows how the offseason plays out, but we've got to prepare to have a guy ready."
The Bengals aren't considering a position switch for Williams. Some believe the team should move him to right tackle and put keep Carman at the left side. It isn't something that the coaches are considering at this point.
"It’d be tough," offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. "He’s spent his whole career, really, especially as a pro, as a left tackle. Moving him would probably be pretty difficult."
Things can change in a hurry, but it's safe to say Williams, Cordell Volson, Ted Karras and Alex Cappa will likely start for the Bengals in 2023. The right tackle spot is up for grabs.
Maybe they add a plug-and-play tackle in the draft. They could find a veteran in free agency to help fill the void.
One spot is open, the other four jobs appear to be filled—for now.
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