Trey Smith Needs To Be The Bengals Top Offseason Priority
Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Normally, as December approaches, the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals would have the playoffs to look forward to. Instead, despite the small amount of hope that persists until mathematical elimination, some fans are already throwing in the towel and looking toward the 2025 season.
Bengals fans creating their 2025 mock draft after tonight. pic.twitter.com/4cv04hOgby
— Serhan Dayi (@SerhanOnX) November 18, 2024
Perhaps next year will hold greener pastures. Maybe Burrow won’t have to throw 12 touchdowns per game to give the Bengals a chance to win. Maybe the Bengals will hire more than a few scouts. Maybe my back won’t suck. 2025 will be the year. The world is their oyster. Slay, queen.
While defense remains the biggest priority heading into the 2025 offseason, there are still major holes on offense as well. In particular, the interior of the offensive line has been well below average this season.
Bengals run blocking & scheme are a major problem for the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/MXAXmJoePw
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) November 1, 2024
Good news for the Bengals’ never-ending quest to fortify the trenches: one of the top free agents available next offseason is an interior lineman. If the Bengals decide to offset the impending Tee Higgins departure with a splash O-line signing, they should look no further than the western edge of Missouri for the second time in three offseasons.
Trey Smith in 327 pass block snaps this season has not allowed a single sack. #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/bfFG3Vzcfc
— Chiefs Hive (@chiefshive) November 9, 2024
Guards Alex Cappa and Cordell Volson have seen their fair share of rough patches in 2024. Together, they have allowed nine sacks. Of all NFL guards who have played at least 650 snaps this season, Volson and Cappa rank fourth and seventh-worst in terms of PFF’s grading, respectively. While they have both yet to miss a single snap in the 2024 season, their play has left a lot to be desired.
Smith is an impending free agent who would bring a mauler’s mentality that the Bengals badly need in their offensive front. PFF ranks Smith as the fourth-best guard in the entire NFL (79.8 overall), including an 81.3 run-blocking grade(!!!) which ranks third in the league. He also played alongside left guard Orlando Brown Jr. in Kansas City for two seasons before Brown signed with the Bengals. Brown’s praise for Smith dates back to before Smith even played professional football.
There will be some major financial complications, as Joe Burrow’s mega contract kicks in starting in 2025, and Ja’Marr Chase will be extended next offseason, provided the Bengals’ front office hasn’t lost their minds. Given the financial strain these deals will likely put on the notoriously frugal Bengals organization, they may not want to go all-out in free agency. Especially of late, they have a history of letting prime players walk to other teams and replacing them with players who are more cost-effective than on-the-field effective (I’m looking at you, Nick Scott).
That said, with Burrow’s extension beginning next season, they need to do more to invest in their franchise QB than simply filling his pockets. Giving him a stout line from top to bottom would improve all facets of the offense and is a necessary next step. Smith’s efficient and brutal style of play would be a wise investment to protect a quarterback who thanked his offensive line first and foremost in his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech. Credit to the front office, the Bengals have shown an active desire to improve their offensive front, as they’ve made numerous signings and draft selections. Still, the project remains incomplete.
Yes, the defense must be addressed. The core of the team that went to the Super Bowl is aging and losing production. Only the Raiders, Panthers, Jaguars, and Cowboys have allowed more total points than Cincinnati. That’s a huge problem.
But they can’t ignore the problem in front of Burrow. The line’s deep struggles in run blocking have led to inconsistent production from Chase Brown, as well as a one-dimensional offense that relies on the “F*** it, Ja’Marr’s down there somewhere” mentality to win games. Teams like the Ravens and Lions have shown of late having an elite offensive line creates a dangerous, multi-faceted offense that can lean on both the run and the pass. It’s time to join those ranks.
Signing Smith will not be easy. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Smith is likely to be the highest-paid guard in the NFL, and for good reason. He is everything a team wants in a guard. He plays with a high motor from snap to whistle, and he’s incredibly young for a free agent at only 25 years old. Since his rookie season, he has started every game but one. He has extensive experience in the postseason, as he has two Super Bowl rings to his name.
It’s gonna cost, but if there was a time for Cincinnati to throw up their hands and go, “You have to spend money to make money,” it’s here. Even if Volson and Cappa improve next season, they are only under contract through next season. Bringing in Smith will allow the entire offense to operate as they please, and it will give the team its best chance to rebound after the disappointing year that has been 2024.
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