NFL Rumors: Bengals FA Jonah Williams, Cardinals Agree to 2-Year, $30M Contract

After signing Orlando Brown Jr. as a free agent to be their starting left tackle last offseason, Jonah Williams is leaving the Cincinnati Bengals.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Williams is signing a two-year, $30 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. The deal includes $19 million guaranteed.

The Bengals pulled off a surprise move by signing Brown to a four-year, $64 million contract in March 2023. He was coming off a successful two-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs and has made four consecutive Pro Bowls.

After starting his career at right tackle with the Baltimore Ravens, Brown moved to the left side of the offensive line with the Chiefs.

Williams, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, apparently wasn't aware this was coming. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the 25-year-old requested a trade.

It was the right business move for Williams to want to be on a team that plays him at left tackle. Four of the five highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL are on the left side.

The Bengals chose not to grant Williams' request, and he ultimately backed off his desire to be moved.

Williams was Cincinnati's starting left tackle for the first four years of his career. The Alabama alum has made 47 career starts between the regular season and playoffs at the position.

One reason the Bengals may have gone after Brown is because Williams was coming off a down season in 2022. He allowed an NFL-high 13 sacks, along with six quarterback hits, in 16 starts during the regular season.

Another factor in Cincinnati's decision could be Williams' contract status. The 2023 season is the final year of his rookie deal that paid him $12.6 million.

The Bengals are going to have to start making tough roster decisions with Joe Burrow having signed a five-year, $275 million extension before the start of the season. Tee Higgins received the franchise tag and has requested a trade, and Ja'Marr Chase is eligible to sign an extension this offseason.

Williams has been a solid starter for most of his career, though the shift to right tackle did come with some growing pains that impacted his performance in 2023.

Even if the Bengals wanted to retain Williams for the sake of continuity, they have already invested a lot of money in their offensive line recently with Brown, Alex Cappa and Ted Karras.

The Cardinals will get Williams an opportunity for a fresh start and potentially back at his natural position in 2024 to boost their offensive line.