Bengals re-sign veteran offensive lineman
The fifth-year player is coming back to Cincinnati for another year.
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to re-fortify their offensive line in free agency by re-signing guard Max Scharping.
Per KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson, Scharping is returning for at least a second season in Cincinnati.
The team announced it is a one-year deal.
Scharping, a fifth-year player in 2023, was a second-round pick of the Houston Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his first three seasons in Houston as a starter at both guard spots before being waived prior to the 2022 season.
The Bengals claimed Scharping along with Jay Tufele and Devin Asiasi after final cuts and carried all three on their active roster throughout the season. Scharping ended up appearing in three regular season games as an o-lineman, and 14 in total counting special teams.
In Week 18, Scharping came in for right guard Alex Cappa, who suffered what was ultimately a season-ending leg injury. He started all three playoff games in Cappa's spot, but struggled mightily in the AFC title game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
At this point in his career, Scharping is exactly what the Bengals brought him in to be; a spot starter who can play either guard spot. He re-signing gives the team enough depth along the interior to not force a pick in the upcoming Draft, though his contract won't prohibit them from adding competition.
