The Cincinnati Bengals made a notable change to their depth chart two weeks ahead of the 2026 season, releasing veteran offensive lineman Cody Ford after three seasons with the team. Ford was Buffalo's second-round pick (No. 38 overall) in 2019 and spent his first three seasons with the Bills before being traded to Arizona. After one season with the Cardinals, he signed with the Bengals in March 2023.
Over his time in Cincinnati, Ford started 10 games and appeared in all but one, providing valuable depth along the offensive line. Last season, he even recorded a 21-yard catch near the end zone from Joe Burrow in Week 17 against the Cardinals. Now the 29-year-old tackle will need to find a new team with the regular season approaching.
Ford may not have been a regular starter for the Bengals, but he was likely their top backup on the offensive line — the player who would have stepped in had either starting tackle, Orlando Brown Jr. or Amarius Mims, gone down with injury. However, after a rough training camp and struggles through the Bengals' first two preseason games — particularly in the most recent matchup against the Bears — Cincinnati evidently felt ready to move on. More news: Steelers Get Good News on Two Key Players Ahead of Bills Preseason Finale More news: Browns Provide Update on Maliek Collins After Months-Long Absence The Bengals' offensive line is under immense pressure heading into 2026.
Burrow is trying to get this franchise back into Super Bowl contention, but he missed nine games due to injury last season and seven games due to a separate injury in 2023. The Bengals missed the playoffs both years and haven't made the postseason since 2022. Simply put, they can't afford for Burrow to miss more time if they want to compete for a championship.
They've made significant improvements on defense and still boast one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL. But Burrow's health remains the most critical factor, and the team doesn't appear willing to take chances on Ford, even in a backup role. More news: 2026 NFL Award Predictions: MVP, OPOY, DPOY and Every Major Honor
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