Tag: Cody Ford

Bengals roster moves: Cody Ford re-signs before free agency opens

The Bengals make a roster move before free agency.

The Cincinnati Bengals have made their second notable move before free agency with the re-signing of offensive lineman Cody Ford.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was the first to report the news, confirming it’s a one-year deal.

Ford, a second-round pick in 2019 by the Buffalo Bills, joined the Bengals last season and earned a spot on the final 53-man roster, starting one game last season and appearing in 17.

The first big move before free agency was applying the franchise tag to Tee Higgins. The re-signing of Ford secures some younger (27) depth on the interior with flexibility for tackle play, too, before the line figures to be something they address in free agency and the draft, too.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Eugene Brooks finishes as a top 10 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class per On3

Eugene Brooks rose quickly to end the year. So much so he finished in On3’s top 10 2024 IOL rankings.

Much was made about the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive line class in 2024. Some were even questioning [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]’s ability as a recruiter and coach.

Although Oklahoma missed out on some of their top prospects, that narrative was crazy talk.

Bedenbaugh has built a reputation for taking guys who aren’t highly recruited and turning them into stars. [autotag]Orlando Brown Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag], [autotag]Cody Ford[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] and [autotag]Ben Powers[/autotag], just to name a few, were all three-star players according at least one of the recruiting services coming out of high school. Four of the five have carved out nice NFL careers, and the other is projected to be taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Still, you hope to land some of the big fish that you are going after. However, one guy who could be an overlooked prospect who becomes the next great one is [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag]. Brooks was once a three-star but shot up the recruiting boards after impressive camps and All-American games. He made the move all the way into On3’s top 10 interior offensive linemen of the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag].

Brooks is a consensus top 185 player in the country and is as high as a top 75 according to 247Sports. All four major recruiting sites have him as a top 10 interior offensive lineman, with 247Sports ranking him the highest at No. 3.

It’s unclear what position he will play at Oklahoma. Many thought he would play guard, but there have been some rumblings that he could be Oklahoma’s next great center. That remains to be seen, as well as how much playing time he will receive in year one.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Why Bengals turned to Cody Ford after Orlando Brown Jr. injury

Bengals coaches explain why Cody Ford got the call when Orlando Brown Jr. went down.

It was Cody Ford getting the call for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 after Orlando Brown Jr. left the eventual win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Ford, a new arrival this offseason via free agency, has past experience at guard and tackle, with it initially reported that the Bengals brought him on to play right tackle.

But Zac Taylor and Co. had Ford at left tackle last Sunday in an emergency scenario.

“He stepped in there at left tackle and performed well. He did a good job in the run game, did a good job in the protections, so I was pleased with what Cody did,” Taylor said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “There were (preseason and practice) situations we put him in. He had played a lot of guard, but also at tackle he had gotten reps and we felt comfortable as the preseason had unfolded. They mix those reps around in practice. Frank does a good job of that to where it felt like he would be the first guy in at tackle there.”

It was pretty telling even before kickoff that D’Ante Smith, not Ford, was one of the inactives. And while the left side of the offensive line, including Cordell Volson, had some problems, this is a pretty big endorsement for Ford.

Joe Burrow’s line should get Brown back after the bye week at least, with Brown himself personally updating his status recently.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals OL Cody Ford suffered concussion

A setback for Cody Ford ahead of Bengals cutdowns.

Cody Ford has been an increasingly bigger part of the final 53-man roster puzzle for the offensive line as the Cincinnati Bengals near the end of the preseason.

But Monday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealed that progress has come to a halt.

Per Taylor, Ford suffered a concussion in practice and has entered the protocol.

That would likely seem to rule out Ford for the preseason finale next week. But there’s a chance Bengals coaches have seen enough anyway — he’s been starting at guard during the preseason despite signing on as a right tackle, boosting his chances at being a primary backup.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals 2023 player profile for OT Cody Ford

A 2023 profile for Bengals OT Cody Ford.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8221″]

The Cincinnati Bengals brought on Cody Ford this offseason in free agency, adding a player they liked a lot out of college a few years back.

Ford arrives as an interesting backup option, so here’s a quick look at his profile.

 

Experience: 5 years (Round 2, 2019)

Age: 26

College:  Oklahoma

2022 PFF Grade: 41.2

Numbers to Know: 32 career starts

Resume and Outlook: Ford has started at both tackle and guard over the course of his career so far. The Bengals really liked him in the 2019 draft and the fact he’s got experience at pretty much every spot on the line is a big deal. There’s a logjam at right tackle, which the Bengals signed him to play. He won’t beat La’el Collins or Jonah Williams for a starting job, but his versatility means he should be one of the first guys off the bench, possibly well beyond 2023.

 

Other 2023 Bengals player profiles: 

Position Name
OL Jaxson Kirkland
DE Tarell Basham
RB Chris Evans
DE Jeff Gunter
P Brad Robbins
LB Jaylen Moody
TE Drew Sample
QB Trevor Siemian
DE Cam Sample
CB DJ Ivey
WR Stanley Morgan
OL Jackson Carman
P Drue Chrisman
WR Trent Taylor
S Tycen Anderson
DT Josh Tupou
RB Chase Brown
WR Charlie Jones

 

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Cody Ford’s contract details with Bengals emerge

A look at the deal between the Bengals and Cody Ford.

It was always going to be a little interesting to see the contract details for new Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Cody Ford.

Ford, after all, is a bit of a reclamation project for the Bengals after his struggles with two different teams in recent years.

But Bengals coaches agreed to let Ford give it a shot at right tackle at signing, which came as a bit of a surprise as Ford spent plenty of time at guard in recent years. That led some to wonder if he had a serious shot at going to opening day as starter if La’el Collins isn’t healthy.

According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Ford’s contract is merely a one-year deal worth $1.08 million. Meaning, Ford got the veteran minimum.

So at a time when the Bengals look like a team that could be drafting a right tackle early, Ford is merely going to get a chance to compete for a depth role and his addition doesn’t rule out further adds.

That’s not to say Ford can’t win a role — the coaches value the sort of versatility he brings. But with Jonah Williams’ trade request and Collins’ injury hanging over the position, Ford’s presence, based on the contract, doesn’t change much about the need.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Jessie Bates, Samaje Perine helped Cody Ford land with Bengals

Two former Bengals endorsed the team to Cody Ford.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed Cody Ford to play right tackle and it turns out it wouldn’t have happened without some notable endorsements.

Two major outgoing Bengals who just signed with other teams told Ford how great Cincinnati was. One was Samaje Perine, who just signed with the Carolina Panthers.

The other was Jessie Bates, who inked the historic deal with the Falcons.

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com captured Ford’s feeling-out period before signing, which included those named above and a few other former Bengals:

“They said good things. Respectful things even after they had already parted ways. They definitely gave good reviews,” said Ford, whose 32 NFL starts have come at both tackle and guard in primarily back-up roles.

He didn’t stop there. He checked in with fellow former Bills guard Quinton Spain, a Bengal in 2020-21, as well as Andrew Brown, a Bengal from 2018-20 whom he ran across when they were in Arizona last season. When the reviews matched up with the willingness of the Bengals to give him a shot at his position of choice at right tackle, he had a deal.

It’s a testament to the culture Zac Taylor built during his program turnover and the leaders still in the locker room that former Bengals from this offseason and beyond sign off on it when would-be signees reach out.

And indeed, it also says a lot about Perine and Bates, two guys who didn’t want to leave but made tough life choices based on the unruly waters of the open market.

For fans, it’s nice to know the perception of signing with Cincinnati has changed and likely won’t falter for a long time.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals signed Cody Ford in free agency as right tackle

A big detail about Cody Ford’s deal with the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals guaranteed Orlando Brown he could play his preferred position of left tackle and it played a role in the team’s ability to sign him.

Turns out they did the same thing with Cody Ford, who agreed to sign on Thursday. 

Ford, who played right tackle as a rookie before moving around to different spots with two different teams, agreed to sign with the Bengals because line coach Frank Pollack and the team will give him a shot at his preferred spot of right tackle.

“Yes, I do feel like I’ve been playing out of position and they do, too,” Ford said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I’m excited to be playing tackle again.”

It’s an interesting thing to consider. The Bengals adding Brown means Jonah Williams likely moves to right tackle, a spot already occupied by La’el Collins. And while Collins is injured, it isn’t a guarantee the team just up and moves on from him.

But it’s a good problem to have for a team that needs a dramatic upgrade to its depth in the trenches. And if all else fails, Ford has that versatility to back up interior spots like guard, too.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

OL Cody Ford to sign with Bengals

The Cardinals traded a fifth-round pick for Ford before last season. He played in 11 games and started three in 2022.

Another Arizona Cardinals free agent has found a new team. The latest is offensive lineman Cody Ford. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Ford will sign a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ford spent one season with the Cardinals after they acquired him via trade from the Buffalo Bills before the season. They gave a fifth-round pick to acquire him.

He started the season injured and started only three games before being replaced in the lineup. He played in 11 games.

He was a second-round pick of the Bills in 2019.

We will have to wait and see on the terms of the deal, but it is not likely it will be enough to qualify for compensatory compensation in 2024.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw7fa4ahbvdd03 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Instant analysis after Bengals sign OL Cody Ford in free agency

Quick reaction to the Bengals adding a new free agent.

The offensive line for Cincinnati Bengals got a little deeper on Thursday with the team signing Cody Ford in free agency.

With the new starting five secured in the wake of the signing of Orlando Brown, the Bengals now have the resources to step back and better shape the depth outlook.

As a whole, the signing of Ford isn’t a shocker at all.

Ford is a former second-round pick from the 2019 draft the team seemed to like at the time. Fast forward to now, he has a ton of notable experience at both guard spots and right tackle.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals announced him as an offensive tackle, but he might make more sense at guard. Either way, the coaches love the positional versatility he provides in a similar way to Jackon Carman.

That said, Ford has had big struggles over the last few years with two different teams, including a 41.2 overall PFF grade last year over 350 snaps.

Overall, though, there’s nothing wrong with adding more competition and Ford’s physical traits had him drafted in the top 50 for a reason. The Bengals will need a backup right tackle behind Jonah Williams if they cut La’el Collins and otherwise need competition for names like Max Scharping.

Ford does that, plus has the Oklahoma connection with Brown. The team should be desperately trying to avoid the depth disaster it suffered last year when the injury bug struck, so Ford might not be the last one they sign before potentially drafting more, either.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]