What’s Going on With Jonah Williams?

The Cincinnati Bengals have been knocking on the door of history since their drafting of Joe Burrow. In Burrow's two fully healthy seasons, the team has made it to the Super Bowl once and AFC Championship game twice. The biggest question mark during that run, however, has been its offensive line.

The data says it all. Burrow took the sixth most sacks in 2022 (41), the most of anyone in 2021 (51), and the 10th most (32) in 2020 despite playing just 10 games before suffering a major knee injury on a sack.

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Naturally, the Bengals sought to upgrade the offensive line this offseason. The most drastic move they have made in an effort to do so was their free agency signing of elite tackle Orlando Brown, who won the Super Bowl with Kansas City last year.

Brown has experience in the NFL at both right and left tackle, but all the buzz is that he will slot in on the left side of the line.

As a result of this, Alabama alumnus Jonah Williams, who plays left tackle, has requested a trade. However, the Bengals don't seem too keen on honoring that request.

Today, director of player personnel Duke Tobin said Cincinnati still considers him an essential part of this year's team.

"I don't have any updates. He's a valuable member of our team. If that changes, you'll be the first to know. Right now, that hasn't changed," said Tobin on Williams' status.

If Williams is to be dealt, it would likely either happen prior to the draft or after a training camp/preseason holdout. Either of those scenarios are just as likely as the two parties working through their issues and Williams being on the perennial powerhouse this season.

The situation is wide open.