The biggest moves of the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason have already been made. Receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are locked in for the long haul, hoping to hoist a Lombardi Trophy in Cincinnati.
Yet, the Bengals’ work isn’t done. With edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in extension limbo and the rest of the defense badly in need of reinforcements, more moves must be in the works. Even the offense is unfinished, with the interior offensive line still unsteady.
Between Cordell Volson, Cody Ford, and Lucas Patrick, Cincinnati has no quality starter at guard, sending fans and analysts searching for answers.
Subsequently, the Bengals are considered a trade partner for 2022 first-round offensive lineman Zion Johnson.
“The Cincinnati Bengals secured the future of their offense with massive extensions for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and tight end Mike Gesicki,” Pro Football Focus writes. “Now, it’s time to ensure Joe Burrow can get them the ball. The Bengals have one of the league’s worst collections of guards, and it’s the biggest flaw remaining on the offense. Zion Johnson won’t become an All-Pro if the Chargers trade him to Cincinnati, but he won’t need to be. As long as he can just be average, Burrow should have enough time to connect with his elite offensive weapons.”
Johnson can’t promise to be the star some are clamoring for. Even living up to his draft capital at this point seems like a stretch. But he figures to be a low-cost, decent-reward option should he be shopped, and he comes with multi-position (and potentially center) versatility.
In essence, he’s not a sure-fire quality starter. He is, however, a lottery ticket who would make Cincinnati deeper and more talented. If the Bengals are going to bet, doing so on pedigree and athleticism is hardly a bad place to start.
According to Pro Football Focus, he’s one of the Chargers’ best tradable assets.
“The Chargers won’t be ready to part with Quentin Johnston just yet, although the former first-rounder might be on thin ice going into Year 3,” Bradley Locker wrote. “That leaves Johnson as a different marquee player who might be close to an exit.
“Los Angeles signed guard Mekhi Becton and center Andre James in free agency, while Bradley Bozeman and Trey Pipkins are each back in the fold. Johnson’s 62.5 PFF overall grade leads Chargers guards since 2023, but his fifth-year option will probably get declined — and a trade may ensue.”
Projecting player trades is often ambitious, as the likelihood that any given player is traded is generally low. Los Angeles could start Johnson at center in the wake of its recent signings, taking him off the trade block entirely.
If he is on the move, though, Cincinnati should be among the first teams calling, hoping to give Johnson another elite quarterback to protect in 2025.
