Many questions plague the Cincinnati Bengals when it comes to the future of the offensive line.
How will Jonah Williams perform at left tackle? Is Cordy Glenn back? Is Alex Redmond back? Who starts at left guard? Is Billy Price married to bust status? Where does Michael Jordan go? Who starts at right guard and tackle?
We could go on. But notice something important — no mention of center.
Thank Trey Hopkins, the former undrafted player who scratched and clawed his way into a starting role, shoving aside a first-round pick like Price.
Pro Football Focus just illustrated how important Hopkins was last year, too:
And that’s just Hopkins’ first year as a starter, so there’s potential for a gradual upswing — especially as the line around him stabilizes.
It’s no wonder, then, the Bengals hit Hopkins with a three-year extension in late December.
