There is a man in the Bengals O-line and he’s called a “dancing bear” with feet that move like a wide receiver and hands that pack a punch. And while his nickname might not be on the stat sheet, his impact definitely is. He is Who Dey’s guard Cody Ford. Last season, he played in all 17 games as a reserve guard and special teams contributor. Fast forward to now, Zac Taylor himself said Ford “stepped up.” And that, folks, is not a compliment thrown around lightly in Cincinnati.

Well, it’s not new. The Buffalo Bills saw that first and drafted him in 2019. It’s just that Cincy is getting the fruits of it now. At 6’3” and 345 pounds, he’s built to be a run-game finisher. But the dancing part, yeah, it’s real, and that’s what sets him apart—blending size with surprising athleticism. Now, with Ford putting pen to paper for another contract, let’s talk about what might be next for this anchor on the Bengals’ line.

What is Cody Ford’s salary?

We all know it wasn’t pretty in 2023. When Cody Ford swapped the Bills for the Bengals, people raised eyebrows. Now, weirdly enough, those eyebrows weren’t for his stats. Oh, hell nah! It was about his paycheck. Well, you can see why: Ford signed a modest one-year deal worth $1.08 million. A right tackle by designation, this was a reclamation project with a twist. Bengals coaches surprised some by giving him a shot at tackle, even though Ford had spent most of his recent years at guard.

The question on everyone’s mind? Could Ford snag a starting role, especially with La’el Collins sidelined? It felt like a long shot, but hey, stranger things have happened. Fast forward to 2024, and Ford re-signed with the Bengals. That pretty much sums it up. This time, he inked a deal mainly to bump his pay to $1.35 million, including $175,000 guaranteed. Not flashy, but a solid step up.

It’s clear the Bengals value his versatility—guard, tackle, you name it—but the contract doesn’t exactly scream “long-term solution.” For Ford, the ball is in his court—or, in this case, his lane.

How long is Ford’s contract?

Cody Ford’s current deal with the Bengals is as straightforward as it gets—a one-year, no-messing-about contract. Not exactly a long-term love letter, but more like a ‘show us what you’ve got‘ arrangement. And honestly, Ford has taken that to heart. After being benched earlier in the season, he earned his way back onto the field, replacing Cordell Volson at left guard. So far, he’s got Coach Taylor backing him up.

The Bengals are clearly testing the waters with Ford. His performance against the Steelers on December 1 didn’t lead to a win. But it caught the coaches’ attention. Taylor bluntly stated, “That was an opportunity that Cody has earned. And you know, he’s played well stepping in at left tackle, well enough to get an opportunity to be one of the five linemen that walk on the field.” Now the real question: Can Ford stick as a starter, or is this just a temporary patch while Orlando Brown Jr. deals with his lingering injury? If Brown isn’t at full strength, Ford might see even more opportunities, maybe even at left tackle.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Bengals have decisions to make. But for now, Ford’s in the driver’s seat, even if it is in a stormy season. He just needs to keep driving himself out of the storm. Is that simple? You can bet it isn’t.