Trai Turner is the latest example the Cincinnati Bengals have zero excuses but to upgrade the offensive line this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 27-year-old Turner is currently available for trade or could simply end up cut as the Los Angeles Chargers look to shed his $11.5 million cap hit.
Turner arrived in Los Angeles via trade from Carolina in exchange for Russell Okung but appeared in just nine games due to injuries. He’s otherwise played 13 or more games in every season of his career dating to 2014.
Turner struggled in his new surroundings, to say the least, grading at a 34.8 at PFF over those nine games. His 63.9 in 2019 over 888 snaps is probably more indicative of where he’s at right now.
Adding Turner would be an upgrade at right guard and give the Bengals flexibility with their other players. Even better, he’s going to be cheap. If it’s a trade, it won’t take more than a later-round pick. If it’s as a free agent, the market is so flooded with linemen this offseason that Turner won’t demand a big contract.
Either way, it’s just another example of the Bengals having plenty of options. Others include Kevin Zeitler, some Raiders cuts and a whole host of others:
