For the first time in the Joe Burrow era, fans are not nervous about the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line heading in to training camp. For the first time in Burrow’s career, all five starters from the previous season will return. Despite Burrow’s turf toe injury last season, Scott Peters’ unit put together the best season of offensive line play we have seen since Burrow arrived in 2020.
A large part of that success was rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild. After earning the starting spot as a rookie, the upside he provided was obvious early on. Playing alongside veteran left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., Fairchild looks like he could be the answer at left guard for the next decade.
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Fairchild passes the eye test, but the numbers work in his favor as well.
On 629 pass blocking snaps, Fairchild surrendered only two sacks on the season. On one of the sacks charged to him, he was actually injured on the play, which likely contributed. After years of hoping Cordell Volson would be the answer, Fairchild was instantly the player we hoped Volson could be.
Not only was he rock solid in pass protection, but the Bengals also averaged a team high 6.39 yards per carry when running between Fairchild and Brown. That was easily the highest average of any gap on the offensive line. Second highest? Running between Fairchild and Ted Karras (4.42 yards per carry).
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We knew Fairchild was good last year, but seeing the numbers shows just how much promise he has. His second season in the NFL is approaching, and we should all be excited about the future. After all, he is only getting better.
