Bengals will host veteran free agent OL Lucas Patrick

It’s not enough, but it’s something.

Now that the Cincinnati Bengals have both of their star wide receivers under contract, they can turn their attention to Trey Hendrickson, the rest of the defense, and the interior of the offensive line.

It looks as if they’re starting to wind up as they are bringing in veteran free agent interior offensive lineman Lucas Parks, according to Jordan Schultz.

The Bengals, despite their high-powered offense, couldn’t get consistent pass protection from either guard Cordell Volson or Alex Cappa in 2024. The team parted ways with Cappa earlier this offseason, freeing up some cap space and creating space for another guard to step in and help create a better pocket. However, that has not yet come to pass, even though many free agent guards have been taken off the market.

The 31-year-old free agent guard was an undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2016. He landed with the Packers and spent the next five seasons as a backup for the most part. He left for Chicago in 2022 and was a backup for the majority of the season, but in 2023, he started the vast majority of the team’s games at center. He had a low pass-blocking grade, per PFF, but didn’t allow a sack. Then he left in free agency again, this time to New Orleans, where he started in 10 games, eight at left guard and two at center. Again, he didn’t allow a sack, per PFF, and ended the season with a pass-blocking grade of 60.3.

Considering his age and the relative lack of starting experience, Patrick seems to be more along the lines of a depth signing, but it also could mean they expect him, or someone like him, to compete with Cody Ford, Cordell Volson and possibly a future rookie for the starting guard positions.

Stay tuned as this story develops.