Report: Cedric Ogbuehi's 5th Year Contract Option to Be Declined by Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have declined the fifth-year contract option on offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi's rookie deal on Wednesday. 

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the news while providing context about the player's situation:

It's been a rough start to his career. Cincinnati took Ogbuehi with the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft even as he rehabbed a torn ACL. At that time, the Bengals had plenty of talent on the offensive line, with Andrew Whitworth, Andre Smith and Kevin Zeitler providing stability up front. That meant the team could take a chance on an injured prospect with the hope he could eventually replace one of the veterans when the time came.

That's not the way things have played out, however.

While toe and shoulder injuries may have played a role, Ogbuehi has struggled mightily. The 6'5", 310-pound lineman's poor performances on the field have resulted in him being rotated in and out of the game on occasion. The team's line has been a problem as a whole, but he has been the scapegoat.

Back in December, then-offensive line coach Paul Alexander called out Ogbuehi's lack of focus. Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis admitted this offseason that the Texas A&M product's lack of development has held the team back, per Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"Ced's had two seasons, basically, and it's just not been exactly where we need it to be. That's held us back."

Any offense would struggle after losing veteran linemen like Whitworth and Zeitler. On the other hand, it's a next-man-up business. Ogbuehi's lack of progress and consistency has the team still looking for answers up front.

On draft day, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said Ogbuehi was "a gifted left tackle prospect" with "a lot of upside." Three years in, the Bengals haven't seen enough to warrant giving him another year and big money.