Joe Thuney is the one free agent the Cincinnati Bengals should pursue this offseason on the open market.
That’s a rather standard take around the Bengals these days given the situation on the offensive line in front of Joe Burrow. But Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson was the latest to bring it up while outlining the one free agent each team should chase:
“Thuney has allowed just three sacks in the past three years, posting PFF pass-blocking grades of at least 85.0 in two of those three seasons. He is also a good run blocker and doesn’t get penalized often. He would represent a monster upgrade along Cincinnati’s offensive line.”
We actually went in-depth on this earlier in the week, explaining that the Bengals could pull another D.J. Reader-type move by going after Thuney.
The Bengals shocked by making Reader the highest-paid nosetackle in the NFL last offseason, filling a major need on the roster. Making Thuney the highest-paid guard — which they have enough cap room to do — could be a similar move that dramatically helps the offense.
Of course, Thuney has to actually hit the open market for this to be possible. But the Bengals could figure to be in the running thanks to cap space, the chance to join a quickly-improving line (via the fifth overall pick) and the fact Thuney is from Ohio.
