Can the Bengals’ Offensive Line Become the NFL’s Best in Pass Protection?

One of the most underdiscussed reasons the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to have a good 2025 season is their offensive line. As the narrative around the group shifts from the default view that it can’t protect Joe Burrow to a league-average, or possibly above-average, view, tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is making a big claim, moving past the Bengals being average to borderline elite.

Brown Jr. told Joe Goodberry and Jake Liscow of the Locked On Bengals podcast that he believes the Bengals have the best pass-protection unit in the NFL. With him and the freakishly talented Amarius Mims on the outside, Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner at guard, and Ted Karras at center, Brown continues to believe this unit will have a huge year in its second consecutive season together.

So, let’s look at the 2025 numbers to see whether Brown has a case.

According to Pro Football Focus, all five of the Bengals’ offensive linemen had pass-block grades above 60, which is very good. Both Dalton Risner and Ted Karras posted grades above 70, while the more crucial tackle positions posted grades of 62 for Brown and 67.5 for Mims.

Brown was the only player on Cincinnati’s offensive line who allowed the Bengals quarterback to be hit more than five times, allowing 10 QB hits. Amarius Mims allowed just four, while Ted Karras unsurprisingly led the way with just two. Risner and Karras were the only two to allow fewer than 20 quarterback hurries, while the duo combined to allow just three sacks last season.

However, the Bengals ranked 28th in pass block win rate last season at 58%, according to ESPN, and no player on their offensive line ranked in the top 20 in the offensive tackle or interior offensive line win rate rankings.

So, while there is absolutely a fair expectation that the Bengals’ offense could be even better this upcoming season, Brown’s claim that Cincinnati could have the best pass-protection unit in the NFL may be a little far-fetched. It’s worth mentioning that Brown has played on great teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, both of which had strong offensive lines. Brown may be comparing what he saw in minicamp with what he experienced at his former stops, leading him to believe Cincinnati could be elite at protecting Joe Burrow.

Time will tell, but Cincinnati ending the 2026-27 season with the best pass-protection unit in the NFL would surprise me and many others.