Cincinnati Bengals 2024 First Round Pick Claims Starting Job During Huge Voluntary Window

After the 2024 NFL Draft just weeks ago, it looks like Cincinnati has finally made the appropriate investment in protecting its greatest asset.  The recent drafting of University of Georgia superstar offensive tackle Amarius Mims in the first round of the draft was a huge step in the right direction.  After that, there was chatter that a position battle for the right tackle spot between Mims and former Patriots Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Brown would be happening in training camp.

As early as mid-May, that appears not to be the case.  During voluntary workouts, Mims was seen joining the rest of the first-string including center Ted Karras during a series of drills.  If this trend continues, it looks like Brown has already been relegated to the swing tackle role and will be used as a high-level alternative in case of injuries later this season.

There is a lot of excitement about Mims from everyone in the organization but a silver lining may be that he is getting talked up by his fellow offensive linemen.

“I think we have a hit.  He’s great and he’s going to be a great piece for the franchise for a long time.  We threw him right into the fire the past few days and he’s fitting right in.” Karras said as he asserted that Mims had implied that Mims already earned the spot.

While Mims is the favorite to start the season for Cincinnati at right tackle, it is important to note that Brown declined to work out during the voluntary window.  While Mims starting could be perceived as filling in for Brown, it is also important to note that Brown was just signed from the New England Patriots this offseason.  That means that even though Mims is just a rookie, he has officially played more with this offensive line than Brown has even just a month into his NFL career.

Brown was signed earlier this offseason as the de facto starter at the right tackle position but it is important to note that the team only signed him to a one-year deal worth $4 million.  That would be a perfectly reasonable contract for a backup offensive tackle and could’ve been what they told Brown from the beginning.