The fallout of the Cincinnati Bengals making a splash with Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency is massive in scope.
We are, after all, talking about a team that needs to have hundreds of millions of dollars ready to re-sign its big three of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
And yet, on Wednesday night, that didn’t stop the Bengals from swiping one of the biggest names in free agency and one of the best offensive tackles in football to protect Burrow.
Now the fallout focuses on who plays where on the line, who even stays with the team and what it means for a franchise that has grown up into a heavyweight in a matter of years — and carries itself as such.
Line shuffle and the fate of Jonah Williams
Signing Brown is a two-for-one move. Brown upgrades left tackle and excels where Jonah Williams struggles as a player. And Williams can now move off and either upgrade right tackle or left guard.
On Williams, he’s entering the final year of his deal. The need to move him off left tackle wasn’t the most dramatic one on the line, but it sure doesn’t hurt. Where he actually starts in 2023 is hard to say right now, but right tackle would make the most sense (especially if they draft a rookie for that spot over the first two rounds).
La'el Collins (and maybe Joe Mixon)
Unfortunately for La’el Collins, a so-so year and a season-ending injury cast doubt on his role in 2023, if he had one at all. The Bengals can save $7.7 million by designating him a post-June 1 cut, so they will probably do it.
It’s fair to guess they use the same designation on Mixon to save roughly $10 million. That is unless he agrees to take a pay cut. And he just might — running behind this upgraded line and getting another shot at a Super Bowl has to sound pretty good. Otherwise, Mixon is undoubtedly gone.
Dominoes lined up
The funny thing about the Brown deal is that it’s the first big move in what could be several for the team on the market.
As of this writing, massive names at problem areas like Mike Gesicki (TE) and C. J. Gardner-Johnson (S) remain free agents. It’s pretty clear they have/had offers out on other players, but a deal as big as Brown’s hung quite a bit up.
Not anymore, so expect veteran players to sign soon.
The Bengals aren't playing around
Listen, the Bengals have changed their approach. They have since Zac Taylor arrived and turned over the entire program. And this front office of lawyers knows how to take smart risks. This contract for Brown is way out of their usual band (more guaranteed cash on Brown than all three free-agent linemen from last year, for one thing). And with how it’s structured as front-loaded, it won’t put a big dent in extending Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, if at all.
The Bengals didn’t stand still. They went and got one of those players fans always say “no way they go and sign them.” They left a comfort zone to do it, throwing an established starter (Jonah) out of the way to do it. They even outbid other teams in the late stages while sniping an elite player from the biggest threat to their title hopes in the AFC.
It’s a stunning moment. The team’s behavior the last few years hinted at something like this and here it is. Cincinnati just landed a 26-year-old left tackle of the future and isn’t done yet in their pursuit of winning a championship.
