The Cincinnati Bengals seem to be gearing up for a major revamp of their interior offensive line this offseason, particularly when it comes to protecting Joe Burrow. With struggles across the board, especially at the guard positions, it’s no surprise that changes could be on the horizon. However, despite the speculation, things might not be as clear-cut as they seem.
One of the biggest question marks surrounds Cordell Volson, who found himself benched last season. Meanwhile, Alex Cappa’s performance dipped so much that he’s now being talked about as a potential cut candidate. But before anyone writes off Volson completely, recent comments from offensive line coach Scott Peters suggest that the Bengals may not be so quick to move on from him just yet.
So, what’s the deal with Volson? According to Peters, the young lineman still has a lot of untapped potential. "He's physical. He's got length. I think just helping him find ways to utilize his tools better is one of the areas of (improvement),” Peters explained, as reported by Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
Peters went on to highlight specific areas where Volson needs work, particularly in hand placement and set angles. “Some of the set angles and just having the ability to capture cloth with his hands. It's something that we put a big premium on," he noted. These are fundamental skills for any offensive lineman, and it seems the Bengals are focused on refining them rather than simply giving up on Volson.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Peters isn’t just making generic coach-speak. He actually has a bit of history with Volson. Before joining the Bengals, Peters was with the Cleveland Browns and had the chance to coach Volson in an All-Star game. Back then, he saw something he liked in the young lineman. While coaches will always hype up their players to some extent, this insight suggests that Peters truly believes in Volson’s ability to develop into a reliable starter.
Of course, the Bengals could still explore the free-agent market or the draft for an upgrade at guard. If they find a suitable replacement, Volson could shift into a valuable backup role, bringing experience and versatility to the depth chart. On the flip side, if they don’t land an upgrade, he might just get another shot at proving himself as a starter in 2025.
What’s undeniable is that the Bengals’ offensive line has been a point of concern, and they can’t afford to leave Burrow vulnerable any longer. Whether that means Volson steps up or the team brings in fresh talent, the priority remains clear—building a stronger, more reliable front to keep their franchise quarterback protected. With an offseason full of possibilities ahead, the Bengals have some big decisions to make, and Volson’s future is one of the more intriguing pieces of the puzzle.
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