Bengals Could Consider Veteran Tackle Amid Growing Offensive Line Concerns
The Cincinnati Bengals may once again be forced to examine their options along the offensive line after another preseason performance raised questions about whether the current group can consistently protect quarterback Joe Burrow.
The concern became especially noticeable during the Bengals’ preseason matchup with the Detroit Lions. Burrow absorbed several hits and was sacked, renewing the conversation about Cincinnati’s offensive line and whether the team has enough dependable depth heading into the regular season.
With those concerns growing, veteran offensive tackle Cam Robinson has emerged as a potential option for the Bengals. While Cincinnati has not indicated that it is actively pursuing the former first-round pick, his availability makes him an intriguing possibility if the team decides that its current options are not good enough.
Bengals Linked With Cam Robinson
Bleacher Report recently identified Robinson as one of the remaining veteran free agents who could provide value to an NFL team. Kristopher Knox specifically mentioned Cincinnati as a logical destination because of the importance of keeping Burrow upright.
Robinson could potentially serve as insurance behind starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. His experience would also give Cincinnati another proven option if injuries or poor performances create problems during the season.
The veteran tackle enjoyed one of his stronger stretches toward the end of the 2023 campaign while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. During that period, he posted an impressive 97.4 pass-block efficiency mark.
However, Robinson’s performance has been less consistent since then. Jacksonville eventually traded him to the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 season. He later signed with the Houston Texans in 2025, only to be traded again, this time to the Cleveland Browns.
Robinson started 12 games for Cleveland last season and is now available on the open market.
How Robinson Compares With Cincinnati’s Options
One argument for considering Robinson is his experience and his statistical comparison with some of Cincinnati’s current tackles.
According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson recorded a 56.2 pass-blocking grade and a 48.3 run-blocking grade last season. Those numbers were better than the marks posted by Cody Ford, who received grades of 53.0 as a pass blocker and 41.7 as a run blocker.
Cincinnati has already begun making adjustments to its offensive line. Ford has been moved inside to guard, while Jalen Rivers is being given another opportunity at tackle after playing the position during his college career at Miami.
Rivers struggled significantly at guard last season, recording a 23.8 pass-blocking grade and a 34.8 run-blocking grade. His overall grade of 31 ranked near the bottom among qualified guards.
Those numbers help explain why the Bengals are continuing to experiment with their personnel.
Bengals Still Prefer an Internal Solution
Despite the possibility of adding Robinson, Cincinnati appears more interested in determining whether its existing players can solve the problem.
The coaching staff still has several candidates to evaluate during the preseason. Undrafted rookie Corey Robinson II is one player who could receive an extended opportunity at tackle. Although Cincinnati currently lists him as a guard, he performed well at tackle during his college career at Arkansas, particularly on the left side.
Javon Foster and sixth-round rookie Brian Parker II are also expected to receive opportunities as Cincinnati evaluates its depth before the regular season begins.
The Bengals will likely use these preseason opportunities to determine whether one of their younger players can emerge as a reliable backup or potential starter.
Financial Concerns Could Prevent a Deal
Money could be another major obstacle to a potential Robinson-Bengals reunion.
Robinson signed a one-year contract worth $12 million with Houston last offseason, while Spotrac has previously estimated his market value at roughly $13.1 million for a one-year deal.
That type of salary would be difficult for Cincinnati to justify for a player expected to serve primarily as a backup behind Brown.
If Robinson is willing to accept a significantly smaller contract, however, the situation could change. Cincinnati could potentially view him as an experienced insurance policy capable of providing more stability than some of its younger alternatives.
For now, though, the Bengals are expected to continue evaluating their in-house options before making a serious move for the veteran tackle. If those players fail to convince the coaching staff, Robinson could become a more realistic option.
With Burrow’s protection remaining one of Cincinnati’s biggest priorities, the team cannot afford to ignore offensive line problems for long. Whether the answer comes from within the roster or through a veteran addition, the Bengals must find a solution before those concerns become a major issue during the regular season.
Leave a Reply