Bengals release Lawrence Guy; Team considering adding defensive end?

LawrenceGuy signed with the Bengals right after the start of the regular season. The deal with Cincinnati allowed him to make four appearances with the team, but the veteran defensive lineman is retiring.

Guy was fired on Saturday, they announced. The move makes him a free agent, which means he could find a new opportunity soon. Otherwise, the 34-year-old will be a candidate to remain as part of the training squad pact. Guy saw his seven-year tenure with the Patriots come to an end in the offseason, and his pact with the Bengals was made shortly after learning of the Ravens’ reunion with a visiting free agent. In the right move, the undrafted rookie runs back Kendall Milton he was transferred from the taxi squad to the active squad.

Apart from Trey Hendrickson, The Bengals struggled to find production on the edge. Guy was limited to two receptions against Cincinnati, a team that had no history of actively playing at the trade deadline. However, this could change in the near future, especially if defense assistance can be obtained at the right price. The 3-5 Bengals have a steep path ahead of them heading into the postseason, but the buyer’s stance won’t be a complete surprise.

Cincinnati was considering adding a trade before the Nov. 5 deadline, reports Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required). He adds that the focus for improving the team, which ranks 23rd in points allowed per game, is especially on the defensive line and cornerbacks. This year, the Bengals are outside the top 20 in the league in both rushing and passing, and their 12 sacks leave plenty of room for increased production at the edge.

Hendrickson’s future with the Bengals beyond 2024 is uncertain given the status of his contract and a trade request that was denied by the team this spring due to a lack of negotiations to adjust or extend his contract. For now, though, the three-time Pro Bowler – who has seven sacks on the year – is a big presence and will play a key role if Cincinnati is to secure a run in the second half of the playoffs. Adding the presence of a starting caliber edge (e.g Azeez Ojulari from the Giantswhich Russini adds the Bengals have on their radar) would speed up the pass rush. Veterans Za’Darius Smith (Browns) i Jadeveon Clowney (The Panthers) have also been floated as trade candidates in recent weeks.

Dax Hill‘S ACL tear finished the 2024 season, the first in which he served as a full-time perimeter cornerback. His absence caused a vacancy next door Cam Taylor-Britt AND Mike Hilton for the initial option. Signing a defender capable of immediately taking over first-team duties at a rental price is unlikely, but adding a specialist in a secondary role would give DC Lou Anarumo another option after Hill’s injury.

The Bengals enter Week 9 with just under $9 million in cap space, so adding them midseason is certainly financially feasible. Whether the team makes the rare move and swings the trade will be an interesting story to follow in the coming days.