Bengals release Lawrence Guy; Team exploring defensive addition?

Laurens Guy struck a deal with the Bengals shortly after the start of the regular competition. His deal with Cincinnati allowed him to make four appearances with the team, but the veteran defensive lineman is now headed to free agency once again.

Guy was released on Saturday, the Bengals announced. That move makes him a free agent, meaning he could find a new opportunity in short order. If that doesn’t work out, the 34-year-old will be a candidate for a practice squad pact. Guy saw his seven-year tenure with the Patriots end this season, and his Bengals pact came together shortly after he explored a Ravens reunion with a visiting free agent. In a corresponding move, an undrafted rookie running back Kendall Milton was signed by the taxi squad to the active roster.

Apart from Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals have struggled to find production around the rim. Guy was limited to a few tackles with Cincinnati, a team that doesn’t have a track record of being active at the trade deadline. However, that could change in the near future, especially if defense assistance can be obtained at the right price. The 3-5 Bengals face a steep path to the postseason, but a buyer’s stance wouldn’t come as a complete surprise.

Cincinnati has been looking at a trade addition ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline, reports Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required). She adds that the defensive line and cornerback spots in particular are targets for improving a unit that ranks 23rd in points allowed per game. The Bengals rank outside the league’s top 20 in both run and pass this year, and their twelve sacks leave plenty of room for increased production around the edge.

Hendrickson’s Bengals future beyond 2024 is uncertain given his contract status and the trade request that was rejected by the team this spring after no deal or extension was negotiated. For now, though, the three-time Pro Bowler — who has seven sacks on the year — is very much in the fold and will play a pivotal role if Cincinnati wants to make a second-half playoff push. Adding a starting caliber edge presence (like Azeez Ojulari of the Giantswhich Russini adds the Bengals have on their radar) would increase the pass rush. Veterans Za’Darius Smith (Brown) and Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers) have also been floated as trade candidates in recent weeks.

Dax Hill‘S ACL tear ended his 2024 season, the first in which he was used as a full-time perimeter corner. His absence has created a vacancy Cam Taylor-Britt And Mike Hilton for a starting option. Bringing in a cover man who can immediately take over first-team duties for a loan is unlikely, but adding a deep contributor in the secondary could help D.C. Lou Anarumo another option in the wake of Hill’s injury.

The Bengals enter Week 9 with just under $9 million in cap space, so a midseason addition is certainly feasible from a financial perspective. Whether or not the team takes the rare step of making a trade will be an interesting storyline to follow in the coming days.