Future of our Center Position

[*ochocincos*]

According to Hobson, the Bengals are "all in" on Bodine and are grooming an array of current backups to replace him if he leaves in FA after this year.
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/5/16/15641776/bengals-all-in-russell-bodine-grooming-replacements-2018

Quote: Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander is all in on Bodine and his backups, who could replace him if doesn’t re-sign after this season, are their own young guys. They’re developing guys like T.J. Johnson, whom they just gave a two-year extension, 2016 fifth-rounder Christian Westerman, promising second-year college free agent Alex Redmond, and injury-plagued Trey Hopkins. And, well, if Bodine doesn’t re-sign, overthecap.com says they’ll get a third-round compensatory pick for losing right guard Kevin Zeitler.

This leads me to believe that they are content with what they have at C, feel confident they can groom a quality replacement if anything happens to Bodine (although quality is subjective), and likely won't spend higher than a 3rd comp pick on a C in 2018 and that's only if Bodine leaves and the active backups in Johnson, Westerman, Redmond, and Hopkins haven't met their standards for C performance.