The Bengals’ offensive line has long-been a problem, and it predates Zac Taylor into Marvin Lewis’ final couple of years as head coach. The team is on its third offensive line coach in seven years, while a myriad of high draft picks and notable free agent acquisitions haven’t wholly fixed the longstanding problems.
There is a combination of factors at play, I believe. Cincinnati’s shotgun/empty-heavy system puts a lot of individual pressure on Cincinnati’s linemen, which is a system issue. Their longtime stance of devaluing guards,be it via free agency or the draft hasn’t helped and then you have the coaching development question as well. But, it’s also hard to imagine that steady players like Orlando Brown, Jr. and Dalton Risner suddenly decline in play right when he lands in Cincinnati, as well as the team simply not hitting on so many other draft picks, so system, coaching, as well as team valuation of traits and positions (or lack thereof).
That being said, 2025 third-round pick, Dylan Fairchild, looks like the real deal at left guard and 2025 fifth-round pick, Jalen Rivers, has shown promise, too. Fairchild got injured in the middle of the game last week and his play suffered because of it, while Patrick hasn’t been seen since the second quarter of Week 1. Fairchild may not play this week, so I expect veteran Dalton Risner to line up at left guard this week, with a coin-flip of Patrick (he practiced all week) or Rivers at right guard.