The Cincinnati Bengals’ left guard Cordell Volson had a rough 2024 campaign, struggling in pass protection and being benched twice later in the year. Volson surrendered 43 pressures, ten quarterback hits, and six sacks while posting a 49.4 pass-blocking grade and a 59.3 overall PFF grade in 15 starts. The Bengals benched him, and he did not play in Week 13 and Week 17.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ LG faced an uncertain future
Cincinnati Bengals, Cordell Volson
Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Cordell Volson (67) at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Given his struggles, the front office drafting a guard on Day 2, and his contract, Cordell Volson faced an uncertain future with Cincinnati. Due to Proven Performance Escalators, which awards second to seventh-round picks for playing a certain number of snaps in their first three seasons, Volson was scheduled to earn a $3.656 million base salary along with a $3.82 million cap hit in 2025. However, these escalators do not give players any guaranteed money, meaning the Bengals could cut him with little penalty.
Embattled starter revised his contract
Cincinnati Bengals, Cordell Volson
Cincinnati Bengals guard Cordell Volson (67) runs drills at Cincinnati Bengals training camp on the Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
According to Ben Baby of ESPN, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cordell Volson have agreed to a pay cut/revised contract in exchange for more guaranteed money and $720,000 in cap savings. As a result, Volson’s $3.656 million base salary drops to $1.5 million, adding $500,000 guaranteed and per-game roster bonuses amounting to $600,000, and his $3.82 million cap hit drops to $3.1 million.
Official terms on Bengals OL Cordell Volson’s re-worked contract, per OverTheCap:
— $1.5 million in base salary
— $500K guaranteed money
— per-game roster bonuses that total $600K
— $3.1 million cap hit for 2025
A win-win for both sides, all things considered
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) May 27, 2025
Fans react to the news
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Cincinnati Bengals fans showed up to show their support for the team and throw their last tailgate party of the season on Jan. 7, 2024. Beautiful Crowd shot in Lot E of Bengal Jim’s Crew right before the rawr.
Surely they’ll put this money towards something right?
— Brıåņ (@BrianDiVirgilio) May 27, 2025
Never too early in the morning for penny pinching
— #FireZacTaylor (@JimmyGuappolo) May 27, 2025
Or the @bengals could use those savings (and savings from Moss and Stone paycuts) to sign a proven starting guard and make it a win-win-win.
— Chris Post (@ccposter) May 27, 2025
Now cut Pratt and get Blackmon and Hernandez/Scherff
— Bengals90909 (@bengals90909) May 27, 2025
so glad we’re saving money to pay no one
— Steve in Crowtown (@StevenCrowtown) May 27, 2025
Tough break for Volson—third pay cut is brutal. @JakeWilsonUSA’s take on contract trends lately has been super helpful for understanding these moves. All-or-nothing year for sure.
— Niyokato Radamesnb (@NiyokatoR28321) May 27, 2025
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