Bengals Must Sign Two Starting Guards and Improve Pass Rush in Free Agency, Even if They Re-Sign Their Stars

The Bengals have to bolster their roster in free agency, even if they keep their star players.
Katie Blackburn, executive vice president of the Bengals, stands with her father and Bengals owner Mike Brown during the Paycor Stadium ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. The Bengals will play their first regular-season home game on Sept. 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Paycor Stadium Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Sept 6 2022
Katie Blackburn, executive vice president of the Bengals, stands with her father and Bengals owner Mike Brown during the Paycor Stadium ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. The Bengals will play their first regular-season home game on Sept. 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Paycor Stadium Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Sept 6 2022 / Stephanie Scarbrough/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
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CINCINNATI — The Bengals might be in the process of signing Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term extensions, but their work this offseason should be far from over.

The Bengals should add at least three proven veterans to their roster over the next few weeks.

No, that doesn't include bridging the gap with Trey Hendrickson, which seems more likely now than ever.

Even if they do retain and sign Chase, Higgins and Hendrickson to long-term contract extensions, they need to bolster their offensive line with not one, but two guards.

Teven Jenkins, Brandon Scherff, Will Hernandez, Dalton Risner, Shaq Mason and Trystan Colon are some of the top options available.

Jenkins is scheduled to visit the Seahawks on Monday. Scherff is the best pass blocker available.

A Jenkins-Scherff combo would be an ideal scenario for the Bengals.

If the Bengals sign two quality starting guards, they would easily give Joe Burrow the best offensive line of his career.

Cincinnati also needs to give their pass rush a boost. Calais Campbell would be an ideal target.

Za'Darius Smith and Azeez Ojulari could also give them a boost on the edge.

The Bengals have key needs and keeping their stars is great, but they must make multiple offseason additions in free agency if they want to be serious championship contenders in 2025.

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James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals On SI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati