With Alex Cappa no longer with the team, Cincinnati could use the help on the offensive line.
The Cincinnati Bengals cut guard Alex Cappa after three seasons with the team, leaving a major void on the offensive line.
With that unit having been a continual offseason need since the Bengals added Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft, the team will undoubtedly look to add star power to help keep its MVP-caliber quarterback upright.
However, it will be moving forward with limited cap space as Tee Higgins may be on the franchise tag next season, and Ja’Marr Chase is eyeing a new contract that could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
That said, money will be something to consider for the Bengals. One name that they could eye at the right price, per the New York Times, is veteran Brandon Scherff.
The Athletic’s Mike Jones did a free agency post in which he predicted one signing for every team. For the Bengals, he has them landing Scherff to upgrade the guard position. Scherff is a 33-year-old guard who most recently played with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here’s how Jones saw the pairing.
“Working out long-term extensions for Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are among the Bengals’ top offseason priorities. But Cincinnati also must further fortify its offensive line, especially following the cost-cutting release of guard Alex Cappa. A potential target: Scherff, the five-time Pro Bowl selection and fifth pick of the 2015 draft. After leaving Washington, Scherff battled injuries with Jacksonville. But when healthy, he’s a force in the trenches and would make life easier for Joe Burrow,” Jones wrote.
With Washington, Scherff made five Pro Bowls in seven seasons, but he struggled to have that same impact with the Jaguars. He did start all 17 games for them in all three seasons, so durability is something that Cincinnati should certainly consider here.
Scherff ended 2024 with a 64.7 Pro Football Focus grade and was 19th of 135 guards in pass block, having a 74.5 pass-block grade. With the Bengals set to unleash Burrow with his weapons next season, having someone capable of defending the pass rush well, especially in a division with TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Nnamdi Madubuike, and (maybe) Myles Garrett, is incredibly important.
That said, Scherff would be a welcome addition at the right price.
