Bengals add another offensive lineman in free agency
Cincinnati signs a second offensive lineman this week in free agency.
The Cincinnati Bengals have added two external free agents this week, and both have been offensive lineman. The latest addition is free agent guard Cody Ford, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The signing comes on the day Ford visited the Bengals, which Fowler also reported on. Cincinnati announced the deal is for one year.
Ford, a second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2019 NFL Draft, played three seasons in Buffalo at three different positions along the offensive line. He spent time at right tackle, where he played with the Oklahoma Sooners in college, but was moved inside as a swing guard after an uninspiring rookie season. Speaking of Oklahoma, Ford played next to recent Bengals signee Orlando Brown Jr. in 2016 and 2017 at OU.
In the weeks leading up to the 2022 season, Ford was dealt for a fifth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals with one year remaining on his contract. He mainly played at left guard when needed, but also repped as an emergency right tackle towards the end of the season.
The Bengals were linked to Ford in the 2019 Draft, and were rumored to be interested in trading up for him. Four years later, Cincinnati lands him to provide depth at multiple spots, and maybe even compete for the starting right tackle job while La'el Collins recovers from a torn ACL.
