The Athletic grades the Cincinnati Bengals' decision to sign Alex Cappa
One of the most predictable storylines entering the 2022 offseason was the one about the Bengals and their offensive line. Even the most casual NFL fan knew the Bengals needed to do something to keep Joe Burrow from getting sacked 51 times in the regular season. It was 70 total times, if you include the […]
One of the most predictable storylines entering the 2022 offseason was the one about the Bengals and their offensive line.
Even the most casual NFL fan knew the Bengals needed to do something to keep Joe Burrow from getting sacked 51 times in the regular season. It was 70 total times, if you include the postseason.
The Bengals did just that on Monday, signing a pair of veteran offensive linemen in Alex Cappa and Ted Karras. The hope is both can help fix the Bengals' interior offensive line.
On the surface, both are good moves that should pay off.
The Athletic's Sheil Kapadia believes this to be the case with Cappa. He's handing out grades for each signing as they come in and below is what he thinks when it comes to the Bengals and Cappa:
The Bengals filled a glaring hole, agreeing to terms on a four-year deal worth $40 million (according to ESPN) with Alex Cappa to be their starting right guard.
Cappa started 17 games at right guard for the Bucs last season. He’s been durable, with 46 starts over the past three years, and will be just 27 years old at the start of next season. Cappa has not been a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he’s been a solid, reliable starter.
If the actual terms of the deal end up being $10 million per year (that might be the max value), it puts Cappa among the five highest-paid right guards in the NFL. But please, find me one Bengals fan who’s going to complain about a slight overpay here.
The offseason goal was: Find a way to protect Joe Burrow at all costs. Adding Cappa moves the Bengals in the right direction.
Grade: B+
The Bengals decision to sign Cappa will pay off, hence the good grade from Kapadia. He should be a cornerstone on the offensive line for the next four years, which has to be music to Burrow's and Bengals fans' ears.
Kapadia has yet to grade the Karras signing. You can check out Kapadia's full list of grades, here.
Featured image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
