The Cincinnati Bengals interior offensive line depth weakened following the departure of several backups. Lucas Patrick joined the New York Giants, Cordell Volson signed with the Tennessee Titans, and Seth McLaughlin, whom Cincinnati declined to sign to a reserve/future deal, instead teamed up with the Detroit Lions. The departures of these three backups leave the Bengals’ interior with inexperienced backups aside from starters Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, and Dalton Risner.
The position just got weaker on Tuesday.
Cincinnati Bengals suddenly cut a backup offensive lineman
Cincinnati Bengals, Matt Lee
Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals center Matt Lee (62) on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
On X, the Bengals announced they have waived Matt Lee after two seasons with the team, leaving Jacob Bayer as the only backup center under contract. Since he was a draft pick, players on rookie contracts will be subject to waivers for the next 24 hours. If Lee is claimed, the new team would inherit the final two years of his deal.
We have waived C Matt Lee.
đź”—: https://t.co/rmKG6J9MWF
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 7, 2026
The ex-seventh-round pick was limited to special teams and five games in his second season since Ted Karras played every single offensive snap. Lee suffered a knee injury in October, which landed him on injured reserve. He ultimately remained on injured reserve for the rest of the year despite being designated for return in December and returning to practice.
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Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic (55) celebrates after the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Ethan Pocic (recovering from an Achilles tear sustained in December)
Graham Glasgow
Ryan Bates
Sam Mustipher
Trystan Colon
Andre James
Liam Eichenberg
Daniel Brunskill
Since the free-agent center market is relatively weak, the Bengals will likely select one in the upcoming draft. Notable prospects include Iowa’s Logan Jones, Florida’s Jake Slaughter, Auburn’s Connor Lew (recovering from a season-ending ACL tear sustained in October), Kansas State’s Sam Hecht, Kentucky’s Jager Burton, Indiana’s Pat Coogan, and Alabama’s Parker Brailsford, among others.