One of the biggest areas of need for the Bengals this offseason is at guard after the team cut Alex Cappa. Cincinnati has openings at starting left and right guard, which is why the lack of activity in the first few days of free agency at those positions came as a bit of a surprise.

Slow starts have kept Cincinnati from reaching its first goal every season: Winning the AFC North. Both times Cincinnati's started at least .500 under Taylor, they've won the division and made an AFC Championship appearance. Starters played just one series last preseason (13 total snaps).

But the Bengals aren't giving up on Stone just yet, with Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirming as much during league meetings, according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. on scene. In those comments,