Bengals finally showcase real interest in a free agent guard, but their work should not end here
At last, the Cincinnati Bengals are kicking the tires at the guard spot in free agency. Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Bengals will be hosting Lucas Patrick on a visit Friday after he arrives in Cincinnati Thursday evening. Patrick has been in the NFL since 2016 when he signed with the Green Bay Packers […]
At last, the Cincinnati Bengals are kicking the tires at the guard spot in free agency.
Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Bengals will be hosting Lucas Patrick on a visit Friday after he arrives in Cincinnati Thursday evening.
Patrick has been in the NFL since 2016 when he signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He spent three years coming off the bench in relief of starters at all three interior offensive line spots before finally getting the chance to start in 2020 at both left and right guard. He started most of 2021 at center as well.
The Chicago Bears signed Patrick for two years, $8 million in 2022 as a backup and then he got the chance to start at center in 2023. He wasn't charged with any sacks allowed that year according to Pro Football Focus but he was penalized 11 times, the most out of all centers that season.
Patrick joined the New Orleans Saints on a one-year, $1.3 million deal and ended up starting 10 games, eight of them at left guard. Now 31 years old, Patrick is looking to join his fourth NFL club with 64 starts nearly 4,500 career snaps played.
What the Bengals should be looking for in Patrick
At this point in his career, Patrick can give you snaps off the bench as a spot starter at any of the three interior o-line spots. There's value to having that guy on your roster. The Bengals have a backup center in Matt Lee, Cody Ford and Jaxson Kirkland can play either left or right guard, but they don't have anyone who can fill in at all three spots.
For this role, Patrick makes sense. It's what he's been asked to do for practically his entire career. The results when he starts for an extended period of time have limited him from signing any lucrative contracts, and that should be the case now.
What can't happen here is the Bengals landing on Patrick to being their final answer as Alex Cappa's replacement at right guard. Patrick hasn't played that specific position since 2022 and hasn't repped there extensively since 2020. In short, another player needs to enter the equation.
Bengals need to find another guard along with Patrick
Bringing in Patrick for a visit is completely fine for what it is. Cincinnati is clearly interested in his experience and versatility, and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery watched him up close and personal for four years in Green Bay.
But this needs to be one-half of the Bengals' plan at guard. Inserting Patrick into a competition with Ford and Cordell Volson can provide clarity as to which of those names stick around. There are still starting options available on the market, such as Brandon Scherff, Will Hernandez, and Dalton Risner. Teven Jenkins is also still out there, but his market seems to have shrunk due to his injury history.
Plenty of Bengals fans have wanted the team to sign not one, but two guards in free agency. Patrick very well could be one of them, he just can't be the only one if there's to be any confidence about the guard position heading into the NFL Draft.
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