Offensive line battles are far from a new concept for the Cincinnati Bengals. Another one is on track to take place at one of the guard positions this summer.
In extending Cody Ford with a two-year, $6 million deal a day before the legal negotiating window opened, the Bengals have paved the way for what was heavily assumed to happen at one of the three interior offensive line spots.
It'll be a competition, with Ford right in the middle of it all.
After putting pen to paper on his new deal, Ford expressed his belief that a chance at a starting gig is in store for him.
"They've given me all the opportunities to see what I can do," Ford told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. "And I think they'll give me a true shot to be a starter."
Bengals eyeing competition at guard
While Cincinnati is currently looking at adding another veteran guard to the mix, one of the two spots is set to be open for Ford to lock up.
His contract is relatively cheap in the realm of starting o-linemen, so the team isn't forced to have him out there if he doesn't earn the job. That it was a two-year deal with a slight pay raise compared to his one-year, $1.35 million deal he played on last year indicates they are indeed open to having Ford start if proves to be the winner of the battle in store for him.
Who will he compete with? The odds point to Cordell Volson and an incoming NFL Draft pick next month.
The Bengals haven't drafted a guard since Volson back in 2022, but it would be a complete surprise for the team to ignore the position in the draft this year. Volson, a former fourth-round pick, is entering the last year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to earn $3,656,000 in cash this season if he stays on the roster. That isn't a guarantee if he loses out to Ford and a rookie for the job.
Volson is already on thin ice after he was benched for Ford late last season. The way Ford not only filled in for Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle but also started in place of Volson for two games made the Bengals willing to renew their partnership this offseason.
Volson would be a pretty expensive backup this year if that's the role he's left with, whereas Ford's deal was designed to reflect his status as either a low-end starter, or first reserve off the bench.
Week 1 is six months away, but the Bengals seem to be walking down a clear path at guard. One starting job will go to a veteran they added from free agency. The other will belong to whomever emerges between Ford, Voslon, and a rookie draft pick.
And Ford will enter the battle knowing he has a chance to win it.
