Cincinnati Bengals guard Clint Boling announces retirement from NFL at age 30

Cincinnati Bengals guard Clint Boling has decided to walk away from football.

Boling announced his retirement on Monday in a statement through the team.

“After eight years in the NFL, it is time for me to step away from the game due to medical reasons,” Boling said. “This is not an easy decision, but it is the right one for me, my wife Kelly and our two young girls. I want to thank the Brown family for giving me the opportunity to play my entire career with the Bengals. I also want to thank my teammates, coaches, fans and everyone who has supported me throughout my career.”

Cincinnati drafted Boling out of Georgia in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He spent his entire eight-year career with the Bengals.

The 30-year-old was a stabilizing piece at left guard for the Bengals. He had been the team’s primary left guard since the 2012 season. The 6-foot-5, 305 pound guard started all 16 regular season games in each of the last two years. He played in 111 regular season games (109 starts) and three playoff contests. 

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“Clint is a first-rate person, someone we all counted on and looked up to,” Bengals owner Mike Brown in a statement. “As a lineman, he never got the credit he deserved. That is often the case with good players who do their jobs well, but around the team, he was highly respected and appreciated beyond his playing abilities.”

Boling had one year remaining on his five-year deal that he signed in 2015.

What does that mean for left guard?

Bengals coach Zac Taylor told The Enquirer that the left guard position is an open competition.

Even before Monday’s news, the Bengals were considering other options at guard. John Jerry, Trey Hopkins and Christian Westerman are the three likely candidates to win the job on the left side. Cordy Glenn was going to slide inside at guard until tackle Jonah Williams’ season-ending shoulder surgery.

Without Boling on the roster, the Bengals offensive line depth takes another hit. The club could consider adding another O-lineman in the near future.