Zac Taylor Praises Jonah Williams, Bengals Unsure About Fifth-Year Option

Cincinnati took Williams with the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

CINCINNATI — Jonah Williams was arguably the Bengals' best offensive lineman last season. 

The 24-year-old started 16 games and was on the field for 1,045 offensive snaps. He allowed 10 sacks and was called for four penalties. 

Williams is entering the fourth and [potentially] final year of his contract. The Bengals have a decision to make. They could exercise Williams' fifth-year option, which would ensure he's under contract for two more years. That would also mean paying him more than $12 million guaranteed in 2023.

"We’re still talking through that," Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin said last week. "That’s something that we have in front of us and we’re aware of it."

The Bengals have until May 2 to exercise Williams' option. He missed his entire rookie season due to a torn labrum, before playing in 10 of 16 games in 2020. 

Williams rebounded to play in the first 16 games of the 2021 season before head coach Zac Taylor opted to rest most of his starters in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Browns. 

"I think Jonah is an ascending player," Taylor said on Monday. "I thought he got better every week. Happy to have him." 

Taylor's words weren't negative, but his body language and the way he answered the question was a bit unique. Watch video of his response below. 

The team definitely likes Williams, but are they willing to commit over $12 million guaranteed for one season? Will they exercise the option? 

It's one of the many questions that will be answered over the next week. 

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