The Bengals have added depth to both guard positions this offseason, opening the door for position battles on both sides of the offensive line. While a handful of notable veteran guards remain unsigned, it sounds like Cincy is currently content rolling with their current options at the position. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes, it’s unlikely the Bengals make any additions as they evaluate their options at the guard position.
On the flip side, Dehner opines that the front office should at least be considering adding another body to the fray, even if that acquisition would face an uphill battle for a starting spot. The writer points to a handful of veterans who remain unsigned, including Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, and Will Hernandez.
On the right side of the line, Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick were clearly battling it out for reps during OTAs. Ford is the holdover, and the veteran actually garnered nine starts for the Bengals in 2024 (his highest total since his rookie season with the Bills in 2019). Pro Football Focus has never been particularly fond of Ford’s performance, and while the Bengals signed the veteran to a two-year extension this offseason, they’re clearly setting the stage for a position battle.
That’s because the team brought in Patrick on a one-year deal. Patrick has continued to start during his post-Packers career, including stops with the Bears and Saints. PFF graded him 37th among 77 qualifying guards in 2024, when he started 10 of his 11 appearances for New Orleans. His season ended early thanks to a knee injury.
Cordell Volson has been the team’s starting left guard for the past three years, as the 2022 fourth-round pick has started 48 of his 50 appearances since joining the organization. Unfortunately, he hasn’t truly impressed, and following a 2024 campaign where he allowed 43 pressures in 984 offensive snaps, the team is considering some alternatives.
That competition would come via Dylan Fairchild, who the Bengals just selected in the third round of this year’s draft. The Georgia product brings a winning pedigree to Cincinnati, and at six-foot-five and 318 pounds, he brings the necessary size to the position. The Bengals clearly haven’t been afraid of starting late-round lineman in the past, and Fairchild could end up replacing a former example at left guard.
Both guard positions will be competitions to watch heading into training camp. If the Bengals don’t like what they see, then perhaps they reconsider pursuing a free agent option.
Bengals fans already knew this. The Bengals are not a team that does whatever it takes to win. They do what they think is just enough or less.
Enough to put them in 2 afc championship games in the last 5 years.
And they’ve gone backwards ever since. Most teams that are that close make moves that put them closer.
They made their QB the highest paid player in history, their top WR, the highest paid non-QB in history and their 2nd receiver one of the top paid. Enough with the “Bengals are cheap” narrative. They don’t bring in the money of the big market teams, so they have to manage their money differently, but they spend quite a bit. Do I agree with everything they do? No, but they have spent a lot of money in the last 25 years. They haven’t always spent on the right players and had bad draft picks, but being cheap isn’t their biggest problem.
I never said they were cheap but they do have the money for Hendrickson. They have a terrible defense and when you let your best defensive player and your 1st round pick sit on the sidelines, you’re not doing what it takes to win. Good teams try to fix their problems but all the Bengals did was give Burrow his receivers
The season hasn’t started yet. I would bet Stewart will be playing by the preseason and Hendrickson probably by the second game.
They make it difficult. Did the same thing with Chase. The Bengals aren’t as committed to winning as other teams. Everyone knows that
I’ve been a Bengals fan since the early 80’s as a young kid, so I lived through the 90’s when it seemed like they really didn’t care. I have to give credit where credit is due and over the last 20 years or so, they have done a lot more to try to win. They may not do as much as some other teams, but they do a lot and they look toward the future instead of getting in salary cap hell in future years like other teams. I believe they will be contenders for the next several years.
Being this close and to not f8x their defense is mismanagement.