Jackson Carman Has Had Plenty Of Chances
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In April 2021, drafting an offensive lineman was paramount for the Bengals, who watched Joe Burrow go down with a brutal ACL tear against Washington in the season prior. After passing on Penei Sewell for Ja’Marr Chase in that year’s draft (good call btw), a second round pick on the o-line was almost a requirement. They fulfilled that requirement and went with Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman.
However, many viewed the pick as a reach, as draft experts viewed Carman as a player who could be available in the third or even the fourth round.
When the Bengals drafted Jackson Carman in 2021, it was a feel-good story. He was a local kid who graduated from Fairfield High School, was a top recruit in the US, and went on to protect Trevor Lawrence at Clemson.
It’s been all downhill from there.
Jackson Carman is being relegated to the inactives list now.
What a crucial draft pick.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) September 25, 2022
While he’s had minor flashes of solid play, there have also been games where he’s made Cedric Ogbuehi look like Trent Williams. He found some playing time during the 2022-23 playoff run and was serviceable, but he was also called for two penalties. He has been lauded for his natural athletic ability, but he’s caught criticism for his poor technique.
He had an opportunity to win a starting job at left guard last season, but was beat out by then-rookie Cordell Volson, who was a fourth round selection in the 2022 draft. Going into the 2023 season, he had another chance to win a starting position at right tackle, but was beaten out by Jonah Williams, who has seen a career resurgence and performed brilliantly in his new role. In the 2023 season, he’s been a healthy scratch in five games, and has only been on the field for one special teams snap.
But it’s not just because of his on-field play that is cause for concern.
What did the Bengals know about Jackson Carman? https://t.co/FES5YNTCzf
— Defector (@DefectorMedia) January 22, 2023
In April 2022, then-Defector reporter Kalyn Kahler (who now writes for The Athletic) wrote a lengthy investigative story on Jackson Carman, who had a disturbing rape allegation resurface from his college days at Clemson. According to the story, Carman was 18 and the alleged victim, who is named Jane Doe in the suit, was 15 at the time. One team even referred to him as “undraftable” because of it.
A few months after the allegation, team President Mike Brown revealed that the team was aware of the allegations against him prior to the draft.
Bengals owner Mike Brown on sexual misconduct allegations with Jackson Carman: "That was years ago. Back then we were aware of it. The decision was there wasn't anything to do that should deter us with going forward with him."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 25, 2022
An internal investigation was done by Clemson police, but after the investigation, the county solicitor decided not to charge Carman with a crime.
After the allegation resurfaced, head coach Zac Taylor refused to comment on the story.
Zac Taylor opens press conference: “First off, I am aware there is a story about Jackson Carman today. I don’t have any comment on that.”
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 29, 2022
Sure, Carman was a second round pick, but a player’s position in the draft stops mattering the day they’re drafted. Once their name is called on draft day, it is their job to live up to the potential the team sees in them. If a player’s biggest selling point is “Hey, remember when they were rated as a player with good potential?”, then it is a bleak sign. A player’s draft position does not translate to how they should be viewed in the long term. Aside from a couple decent games, all Carman his name was called in the draft is miss out on opportunities to earn himself a consistent starting role.
Even if he improves and wants to find playing time, Carman will have a long road to it. The Bengals’ starting five offensive linemen (Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams) have been arguably the most consistent starting line the Bengals have had in quite some time. Only one of those linemen, Orlando Brown Jr., has not played 100% of the Bengals’ offensive snaps this year.
Despite all of this, Bengals de facto GM Duke Tobin still has faith in his second round selection from 2021.
Duke Tobin on Jackson Carman, continued: "It's just a matter of being consistent of being down after down. And we still believe in him."
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 26, 2023
Jackson Carman is due over $1.6 million in 2024. Offensive line depth is absolutely essential, but Carman has seemed more or less like an absolute last resort. His 2023 salary is just over $1.3 million, which is too expensive for a guy who’s worn street clothes in more games than he’s worn pads. With other key players like Tee Higgins and D.J. Reader approaching contract extensions, the Bengals can free up some cap money by cutting ties with a player who almost never sees the field.
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