Cody Ford has served in a number of capacities over the past two seasons with the Bengals. The veteran offensive lineman is set to continue doing the same.
Ford has avoided free agency by re-signing with the Bengals, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. This will be a two-year deal, he adds. Ford logged 16 appearances and nine starts last season, and he will represent a familiar face for the team at multiple O-line positions moving forward.
The former second-rounder did not develop as planned during his time with the Bills, and he started only three games during his one-year run with the Cardinals. Ford took a one-year pact worth just over $1M to join the Bengals in 2023, and despite playing only 79 snaps that year he was retained on another (slightly more lucrative) pact. The 28-year-old’s performance from 2024 has now earned him a multi-year commitment.
Ford’s 689 snaps from last season were the second-most of his career, trailing only his rookie pact. The Oklahoma product saw most of his time at left tackle, although he also worked at the other tackle spot as well as left guard. He will be able to compete for a first-time gig on the inside this offseason or operate as an experienced swing tackle depending on how the Bengals address their O-line this spring.
Cincinnati cut Alex Cappa after three years as a full-time starter. Cordell Volson is a pending 2026 free agent, meanwhile, so the team could look to make multiple guard additions between the open market and the draft. Even if new competition for starting gigs emerge in the coming months, Ford will remain in place as (presumably) a low-cost depth option capable of stepping into a larger role as needed.
