Pro Football Rumors
The Bengals have finally settled on their starting offensive line ahead of Week 1. While most of the spots had previously been settled, there were still questions about the team’s choice at right guard. While speaking with reporters today, coach Zac Taylor revealed that Lucas Patrick will get the starting gig to begin the season (per ESPN’s Ben Baby).
Patrick was added on a one-year contract this offseason to provide some competition for holdover Cody Ford, who started nine games during his second season in Cincy. We heard in early August that Ford appeared to have the inside track to keep the job. Patrick sat out a handful of early practices thanks to injury, and his modest $200K in guaranteed money made him a logical cut candidate.
The Bengals added some more depth to the position when they recently signed Dalton Risner, leading to some belief that the recent addition could suddenly be in pole position for the starting RG job. Instead, it was Patrick who won out, although Taylor warned that he wouldn’t be afraid to pivot if the need arises. This means Risner is temporarily the backup guard, while Ford represents the team’s main backup OT option.
Patrick brings plenty of experience to his new squad. The lineman spent the first part of his career as a depth piece in Green Bay, but he emerged as a starting guard in 2020 and starting center in 2021. That performance earned him a two-year contract from the Bears, and after being limited to seven games (five starts) in 2022, the lineman started 15 of his 16 appearances in 2023. The 32-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Saints, where he started 10 games.
Patrick’s versatility has clearly been valued by his teams, but the advanced metrics haven’t been especially fond of his on-field production. The veteran has generally graded out as a below-average guard or center throughout his career, although he rebounded with a 37th-place finish (among 77 qualifying guards) in 2024.
The rest of the Bengals offensive line features left tackle Orlando Brown, rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild, center Ted Karras, and right tackle Amarius Mims.
