Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan doesn’t see Jonah Williams moving out of his starting spot at left tackle in 2023.
Speaking with reporters at the scouting combine, Callahan said they continue to like Williams on the left side and spoke about the difficulty of simply making the change over one offseason.
“Moving him would probably be pretty difficult, Callahan said, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “…I’m sure as a team-first guy he would do it if that’s what was best for us. But it’s a hard switch to make for a guy that’s played a lot of snaps at left tackle over the course of his career and very minimal at right.”
Williams switching sides or even moving inside to guard has been a suggestion of onlookers for a few years now. But looking at the upcoming free agent and draft classes, most of the big names capable of coming in and pushing Williams aside will be out of the team’s price or draft range, never mind a risk.
As expected, 2023 will be a make-or-break year for Williams, who has just the fifth and final year left on his rookie contract before becoming eligible for free agency next offseason.
Should Cincinnati move to upgrade the line this offseason, it’s likely to come at right tackle and at multiple backup spots.
