RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Cincinnati Bengals guard Cody Ford (61), left and Cincinnati Bengals center Trey Hill (63), right, block Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle C.J. Brewer (95) in the first quarter of the NFL preseason game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, August 10, 2024. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
After a 0.0 PFF pass-blocking grade on Saturday night against the Chicago Bears, Cody Ford was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. Ford had been active in 50 out of 51 games since joining the Bengals, playing mostly on special teams units. He also had filled in at four different spots on the offensive line throughout the years.
With much better depth on the interior of the offensive line in 2026, Ford needed to prove that he could be a reliable swing tackle option. The writing seemed on the wall when the Bengals suddenly moved Jalen Rivers back outside to tackle.
After the performance Saturday, the Bengals decided to go ahead and release Ford now. This is likely a show of respect for his years of service, giving him the opportunity to find a new team before the chaos of cut-down day.
After the Bengals released Ford, head coach Zac Taylor briefly touched on the competition at swing tackle and sounded open to finding one who is currently not on the roster.
“I think we’re always open to everything,” Taylor said. “These guys are really competing. I feel like I’d like to see someone grab it and us be able to say that. But certainly, with time still in the practice, we got some stuff to sort out.”
Of the current options on the roster, the Bengals could opt to keep working Rivers as a swing tackle, hoping that more snaps help him become more comfortable on the outside of the offensive line. He played a good amount of left tackle at Miami in college. They could also give Brian Parker a chance to work more at the spot. Or they could go with Javon Foster at the position.
Foster graded out with a 61.8 on Saturday night in pass protection, along with a 73.5 run-blocking grade. While his kick-slide in pass protection looks a bit stiff, he generally does a good enough job with his hands to maintain control of the man in front of him. The former fourth-round selection by the Jaguars has yet to play in a regular-season game in his young career.
Javon Foster took snaps at both left and right tackle versus Detroit. pic.twitter.com/KwcvGLkA94
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) August 16, 2026
The Bengals may look outside the roster, depending on what happens in cuts across the league. They could opt to put in a waiver claim this weekend, when teams around the league cut down to 53-man rosters.
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