The Cardinals have already found a replacement for D.J. Humphries. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals are expected to sign offensive tackle Jonah Williams.
[RELATED: Cardinals Release OT D.J. Humphries]
Williams is inking a two-year deal worth $30MM. According to Rapoport, Arizona was the free agent’s preferred landing spot.
Williams returned from his 2022 postseason knee injury to start all 17 Bengals games this past season. Pro Football Focus graded him only 59th among offensive tackles, although the lineman could get some benefit of the doubt thanks to an unexpected position change.
The Bengals blindsided Williams last year by signing Orlando Brown Jr. to a $16MM-per-year deal, pushing the former first-round pick from left tackle to right tackle. Williams wasn’t happy with the move ahead of his impending free agency and requested a trade. He ended up sticking in Cincy for the 2023 campaign, but it seemed likely that Williams would be looking for a new home in free agency.
The Alabama product’s first two seasons were highlighted by injuries. He missed his entire rookie campaign thanks to a torn labrum, and he was limited to only 10 games in 2020. Williams has bounced back over the past few years, however, missing only a pair of regular season games since 2021.
It’s unlikely he gets his desired LT role in Arizona, as the Cardinals will likely turn to 2023 first-round pick Paris Johnson Jr. to replace Humphries, who was cut by the organization earlier this evening. Williams will slide to the right side of the offensive line for a second-straight season, with veteran Kelvin Beachum providing some veteran depth behind the starting duo.
Blindsided is quite an exaggeration. He is a professional and must know if you don’t play that great, you may get replaced or demoted.
It’s a little more nuanced then that man. The guys played one position since high school through being in the pros. Then his first contract year is coming up and he’s made to play a position that’s completely backwards from what’s he’s done his whole career. It would be like tell a nascar driver to drive on the other side of the car and the other direction. They’re professionals but I bet you would see them struggle a lot.
Monti Ossenfort has already stated that Paris Johnson Jr will play RT. This Jonah signing is as a LT.
As a Bengals fan, I can tell you that it is not a great plan to play him at LT.
Oof. I still think they’re taking a LT at 27 or 35. This draft is deep with WR and T, cant see them passing on that for Jonah.