Christian

Westerman

They also parted ways with DT Christian Ringo. Westerman was believed to be retiring after taking a brief sabbatical earlier this summer, but returned to the team last week. With Westerman no longer in the mix, Michael Jordan has emerged as the frontrunner to start at left guard in Cincy.

It was initially believed Westerman decided to hang up his cleats five days ago, but coach Zac Taylor said Westerman was dealing with a personal issue. Westerman, 26, was believed to be in the mix to start at left guard for Cincinnati this season. The Bengals need all the offensive line help they can get.

It’s the second offensive lineman the Bengals have lost to retirement with Clint Boling forced out due to health issues. Westerman was in the mix to start, so this is a blow for Cincy. John Jerry and Michael Jordan will compete opposite RG John Miller.

Westerman was a fifth-round pick in 2016 but has never been given a shot to be a starter. He played zero snaps as a rookie, 87 in year two, and 96 last season. With the season-ending shoulder injury to first-rounder Jonah Williams, Cordy Glenn is kicking back outside to left tackle, and Westerman and holdover Clint Boling will compete at left guard. Coming out of college, Westerman tested well on the bench press with long arms and massive hands.

Westerman has NFL-level strength, but isn’t an elite athlete. He’s also a bit undersized at 6-foot-3, 298 pounds. He does have long arms for an interior lineman (33 1/2"), and enormous hands (11 7/8"). Westerman could eventually end up at center, where Bengals C Russell Bodine has struggled.

Westerman (6'3/298) made 25 starts on the Sun Devils’ line, earning second-team All-Pac 12 as a senior. He showed his strength in Indy with 34 bench-press reps, but tested poorly athletically. Westerman atones for his slim build with long arms (33 1/2") for an interior lineman, as well as gargantuan hands (11 7/8"). Best suited to zone block, Westerman showed signs of pro readiness in pass protection at ASU and just enough punch to believe he could hold his own immediately as a run blocker. His best NFL position will be center.