Setting the Scene for Bengals Mandatory Minicamp: What We Expect to See From Joe Burrow, Jonah Williams and More

Cincinnati is holding mandatory minicamp this week.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Jun 12, 2023 8:21 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — Bengals mandatory minicamp starts on Tuesday.

This is the last week of their offseason program. Players will leave Paycor Stadium after minicamp and most of them won't return until they report for training camp in late July.

Here are some thoughts on the team, position battles and what I expect to see at minicamp this week:

Jonah Williams Joins Right Tackle Battle

Jonah Williams, La'el Collins — USA Today Images

Williams might've requested a trade following the Orlando Brown Jr. signing, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been working hard to not only get back on the field following offseason knee surgery. Williams has been training in California and all signs point to him showing up for mandatory minicamp.

He has every reason to not only show up, but have the best year of his career. He'll make $12.6 million on the fifth-year option this season, then he'll become a free agent in March. If he plays well, he could cash in and sign a long-term deal elsewhere.

Assuming Williams does show up, team doctors will get their first look at him since before his surgery.

It's unclear how much he'll do with the team during minicamp, but if his knee is healthy, he's the favorite to start at right tackle.

That doesn't mean La'el Collins (ACL) and Jackson Carman aren't in the mix. Collins continues to make good progress after undergoing knee reconstruction surgery in January.

Carman is in the best shape of his career and is hoping to beat out both veterans for the starting right tackle job.

Expect Williams to show up and work out this week. It'll be interesting to see if the Bengals doctors clear him for team drills or if he'll just work with head trainer Nick Cosgray on the rehab field.

Chidobe Awuzie's Rehab

Like Collins, Awuzie is also making good progress after suffering a torn ACL last season.

The Bengals' top cornerback won't be fully cleared this week, but it would be great if he got the green light for the start of training camp in late July.

Cincinnati's secondary has some new pieces, specificially at safety. Having Awuzie at cornerback to start the season would be a big deal for this team.

Monitoring his progress and how much he does on the field could not only be an indicator of where he is in his rehab, but it could also give us a realistic timetable for when he could be cleared for contact.

Running Back Battle

Oct 17, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Trayveon Williams (32) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports — Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Trayveon Williams appears to be the favorite to take over Samaje Perine's pass blocking role in the backfield.

Rookie Chase Brown should also get snaps behind Joe Mixon this season.

This is our last chance to see Mixon, Brown, Williams and Chris Evans in action before training camp. This is also an opportunity for the coaching staff and front office to continue to evaluate what they have at running back.

They've made it clear they're comfortable with this group, but if they have any questions about the quartet following minicamp, they could look to add a veteran in free agency.

Safety Rotation

Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs Dax Hill and Jordan Battle participate in drills during the team s practice, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, inside the team s indoor practice facility in Cincinnati. — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dax Hill, Nick Scott and Jordan Battle could all be in the mix at safety early in the season.

Throw Tycen Anderson in that mix, too.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and safeties coach Robert Livingston have a group that fits well together.

Hill is the top guy in that room. From his elite athleticism to his versatility—he gives them a swiss army knife that should fit with Scott, Battle or Anderson—depending on who they decide to put on the field.

We should get a better idea of Anarumo's vision for his quartet of young safeties this week.

Joe Burrow Speaks

Jan 8, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports — Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Burrow has had a productive offseason. He's in great shape and looks as strong and as accurate as he's been since entering the NFL in 2020.

He's worked on play-action throughout the offseason program. He's also thrown from different arm angles, which gives us an idea of what he's hoping to improve before the regular season starts.

We'll hear from Burrow this week. He'll talk to the media one final time before training camp.

This is arguably the biggest year of his career up to this point. The Bengals' offensive line should be the best it's been since he was drafted. It could be the last season he has Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd at wide receiver.

The defense is deep in key areas and is bringing back their entire starting front seven.

If there was ever a time for Burrow to take a step forward, it would be this season.

He's been great through three seasons, but even he acknowledges that he can be better. This week is a chance for him to get some good work in with Chase, Higgins, Boyd and even rookies like Charlie Jones and Andre Iosivas.

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