Panthers Eye Bengals' Cody Ford Amid O-Line Woes

The Carolina Panthers may be looking to bolster their offensive line by acquiring recently released lineman Cody Ford. Ford, a seven-year veteran, was let go by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. His versatility, having played left guard, right guard, and offensive tackle, makes him a potentially valuable addition for Carolina.

The Panthers' offensive line has been hit hard by injuries. Starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon sustained in the 2025 wild card game. Additionally, longtime right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with blood clots in his lung two months ago. The team also brought back versatile blocker Brady Christensen in mid-July, adding another option to their reshaped line.

Ford entered the NFL as a second-round pick in 2019. He has appeared in 83 games over seven seasons, with 27 starts for the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, and Bengals. Last season, he played in all 17 games for Cincinnati, logging snaps at guard and tackle, and even contributing to a 21-yard pass play with quarterback Joe Burrow. His experience and positional flexibility could provide crucial insurance for the Panthers as they finalize their 53-man roster by Sunday's deadline.