They’ve got to do something to help keep Burrow clean in the pocket.
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached long-term agreements with both of their star wide receivers, ensuring Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins will remain the core of the offense for the foreseeable future. They’re also reportedly working to keep edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in stripes beyond 2024.
They’ve re-signed several defensive contributors, added new faces to Al Golden’s unit, and retained a couple of Darrin Simmons’ specialists.
But the glaring need at guard remains unaddressed.
The Bengals released Alex Cappa earlier this offseason in a move aimed at both shedding salary and upgrading the position. But so far, their only moves have been re-signing Cody Ford and Jaxson Kirkland—two players better suited as depth than dependable starters.
Several guards have already been scooped up in free agency, and the pool of potential upgrades over Cappa and Cordell Volson is shrinking fast.
Here are some remaining options the Bengals could—and should—target:
Brandon Scherff, 33
Scherff would be the splashiest move the Bengals could make at guard. A former No. 5 overall pick, five-time Pro Bowler, and All-Pro, he just wrapped up a three-year stint with the Jaguars in which he didn’t miss a single game. His most recent Pro Bowl nod came in 2021, and while he’s the oldest name on this list, his experience and durability would make him a stabilizing force at right guard from day one. The Bengals rarely sign players over 30, but Scherff is worth making an exception.
Lucas Patrick, 31
Patrick is reportedly visiting Cincinnati as a free agent. The former undrafted free agent out of Duke clawed his way into the Packers’ starting lineup by 2020, playing both guard spots and even center. He spent two years with the Bears before heading to New Orleans in 2024, where he started 10 games—eight at right guard, two at center—and didn’t allow a single sack. He’s not a top-tier option like Scherff, but his versatility could make him a target.
Will Hernandez, 29
Hernandez was a second-round pick by the Giants in 2018 and started every game at left guard his first two seasons. He lost his starting role after a 2021 COVID absence, then moved to right guard in 2022 before signing a three-year deal with Arizona. He allowed just seven sacks over two full seasons with the Cardinals, but a knee injury ended his 2023 campaign early. If healthy, he’d represent a clear upgrade at either guard spot.
Dalton Risner, 29
A 2019 second-round pick by Denver, Risner started four straight seasons at left guard and earned PFWA All-Rookie honors in his debut year. After a season-ending elbow injury in 2022, he signed with Minnesota and took over at left guard midway through the 2023 season. He returned to the Vikings in 2024, shifted to right guard late in the year, and played well down the stretch. He’s reliable, experienced, and scheme-versatile.
Matt Pryor, 30
A sixth-round pick by the Eagles in 2018, Pryor didn’t start until the 2019 playoffs but has since seen time all over the line. He started 10 games in 2020, then played both tackle spots and right guard with the Colts, signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal in 2022. After a quiet stint in San Francisco in 2023, Pryor started every game for the Bears from Week 3 onward in 2024, allowing seven sacks. He’s not elite, but he’s got starting experience at four spots.
Trystan Colon, 26
Colon went undrafted in 2020 but worked his way into a rotational role with the Ravens, making his first start during a COVID-depleted week. Over three years in Baltimore, he appeared in 20 games with multiple starts before bouncing from the Jets to the Cardinals in 2023. He played 14 games that season, started four, and returned to Arizona on a one-year deal in 2024. He started seven games at right guard and didn’t allow a sack. He’s younger than most on this list and could be a high-upside signing.
Shaq Mason, 31
A fourth-round pick in 2015, Mason became a pillar of the Patriots’ offensive line and a two-time Super Bowl champion. He was traded to the Buccaneers in 2022 and again to the Texans in 2023, where he signed a three-year, $36 million extension. He started 15 games in 2024 but allowed eight sacks. Houston released him this March, and while his play has slipped, his résumé still demands respect.
—
That’s the list. The Bengals absolutely need to sign at least one of these guys—and ideally two. Doing so would give Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor the flexibility to draft the best player available in April rather than reaching to plug a hole.
Which guard would you like to see in stripes?
Sound off below.
