Bengals bring back a familiar face to get ahead of what sounds like a robust free agent market at his position
The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back another internal free agent on offense. As first reported by NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, Cincinnati is signing guard Cody Ford to a two-year deal. Ford joins tight ends Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson as recent retentions the Bengals have made on offense. Gesicki agreed a three-year, $25.5 million deal […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back another internal free agent on offense.
As first reported by NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, Cincinnati is signing guard Cody Ford to a two-year deal.
Ford joins tight ends Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson as recent retentions the Bengals have made on offense. Gesicki agreed a three-year, $25.5 million deal Saturday and Hudson took a one-year offer Friday.
There's been no reports of how much Ford's two-year deal is worth, which typically means the money isn't too strong or else his agent, Ken Sarnoff of 1 of 1 Agency, would've been eager to share that information.
Why the Bengals re-signed Ford
Two years for a player who has not been a consistent starter in six years is notable nonetheless. Ford did log nine starts in 2024 as the team relied on him to man the left tackle and left guard spots due to Orlando Brown Jr.'s knee injury and the struggles of Cordell Volson, respectively.
Ford earned genuine praise from head coach Zac Taylor directly following the ninth start he made, which was Cincinnati's fifth consecutive victory to close the season out.
"Cody Ford is not a guy that we talk enough about," Taylor said after Week 18 in January. "This guy has played left guard, he started at left tackle, he started at right tackle. Sometimes he does it with no practice during the week because it's a last-second switch.
"You've got to have guys like that. Yeah, the Trey Hendricksons and the Joe Burrows and Ja'Marr [Chase], they're going to get a lot of credit, but you've got guys like Cody Ford who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, our literal definition of a Bengal, and he's a guy that's unsung."
Ford has earned his spot on the roster going forward and was an expected re-signing, it's just a matter of whether or not he'll be a starter this season. Without knowing the details of the contract just yet, it's hard to say if Ford will be partaking in a competition or if one of the starting gigs is already his to lose. He played on a one-year, $1.35 million deal last season.
Cincinnati could be preparing for an expensive free agent market at guard
Cincinnati has plans to further address the guard position this offseason, but so do most teams around the NFL. The market for the position is expected to be very strong and could lead to pricier deals than expected,
If the Bengals are planning on trying their luck, bidding wars for their targets could lead them to pivoting elsewhere. Having Ford locked in beforehand gives them a safety net they're comfortable with.
I still expect the Bengals to sign at least one veteran guard during free agency with the intent of starting him next season. Which veteran that will be may depend on how crazy the market ends up being.
Ford may have a chance to land the other gig, but there is still ample work to be done before finalizing the offensive line in front of quarterback Joe Burrow.