Everyone saw the news that Eagles starting guard Brandon Brooks tore his Achilles tendon and immediately thought about Larry Warford. Since Warford was released by the Saints, Bengals fans have been drooling for this guy (myself included). Warford is certainly the best offensive linemen left in free agency and he has been unsigned due to salary demands.
Even if the Bengals did not have Warford on their radar because they do not have a history of paying guards it still impacts the Bengals. Jack Driscoll and Matt Pryor are the next men up at RG for the Eagles. There are concerns with Eagles fans that the answer is not on the current roster. This is a similar situation with the Bengals; if a starter goes down we do not have the depth to fill the gap without a major drop in quality.
Let’s assume that the Eagles make a splash and go out and get Warford. The good fellas at BleedingGreenNation looked at all of the top FA’s that are available that could play RG for them. Their list was: Warford, Jason Peters (an aged LT), Ronald Leary (31 years old with injury history), Mike Person (32 years old and is more of a depth guy), Kyle Long (injury history and retired), Josh Kline (fringe starter), Laadrian Waddle (also just a depth guy). Folks the guard cupboard is bare after Warford.
The Bengals are in the position of either signing a guy like Warford and paying him handsomely or playing younger guys / FA’s already signed. Xavier Su’a-Filo is currently our starting RG and it is likely Michael Jordan our LG. Does the above list, besides Warford, really impress you and say “let’s go out and get one of those guys”? This seems to be the shared position of the Eagles and Bengals now. Both teams want the cap space for different positions in 2021 but both need to protect their franchise quarterbacks. Your move Eagles.