Cody Ford has built a fortune of $10 million through seven years in the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard earned this wealth from NFL contracts, signing bonuses, and performance incentives across three teams. His financial journey reflects the value of versatility in professional football—he’s one of the few players who can play every position on the offensive line.
The 29-year-old Louisiana native has turned his multi-position ability into steady paychecks and long-term security. From a $7.5 million rookie deal with the Buffalo Bills to his current two-year, $6 million extension with Cincinnati, Ford’s career shows how reliability and flexibility pay off in the NFL.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cody Ford |
| Date of Birth | December 28, 1996 |
| Age | 29 years |
| Birthplace | Pineville, Louisiana |
| Height/Weight | 6’3″ / 345 lbs |
| Position | Offensive Guard/Tackle |
| Current Team | Cincinnati Bengals (#61) |
| NFL Draft | 2019, Round 2, Pick 38 |
| College | University of Oklahoma |
| Years Active | 2019-Present (7 seasons) |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
Who Is Cody Ford?
Cody Ford plays offensive guard and tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals. Born and raised in Pineville, Louisiana, he started his football career as a defensive lineman in high school before coaches moved him to the offensive side. That position switch changed everything—it put him on a path to becoming a college All-American and eventual NFL draft pick.
At 345 pounds, Ford stands out for his size and surprising athletic ability. He’s played at right tackle, left tackle, right guard, left guard, and even taken snaps at center during his career. This versatility makes him valuable to teams that need depth and insurance against injuries. The Bengals used him at four different positions during the 2024 season alone.
Ford’s journey wasn’t always smooth. He dealt with a broken fibula during his redshirt freshman year at Oklahoma that cost him most of the season. Later, knee and ankle injuries tested his resilience in the NFL. But he kept working, kept adapting, and kept earning contracts.
From Oklahoma Sooner to NFL Draft Pick
Ford’s college career at Oklahoma set the foundation for his professional success. After redshirting in 2015 and battling through that fibula injury in 2016, he broke out during his final season in 2018. He started all 14 games at right tackle, protecting the quarterback’s blind side and opening running lanes.
His performance earned him third-team All-American honors and first-team All-Big 12 recognition. More importantly, Oklahoma’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award—the trophy given to the best offensive line unit in college football. That team award showed Ford could work as part of an elite group, not just shine individually.
The Buffalo Bills noticed. They selected Ford with the 38th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, making him the fifth offensive lineman taken that year. His rookie contract was worth $7.5 million over four years, with a $3.5 million signing bonus. That signing bonus alone represented more money than most people earn in a lifetime.
Career Earnings and Contract History
Ford has earned $10,186,643 throughout his NFL career. That number comes from seven seasons of base salaries, signing bonuses, and various incentive payments. His rookie contract with Buffalo accounted for most of those early earnings, especially that massive signing bonus in 2019.
After three years with the Bills, Ford was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in August 2022 for a fifth-round draft pick. He signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati in March 2023 for just $1.08 million—a pay cut that reflected his status as a backup. But that bet on himself paid off.
Ford played well enough in 2023 and 2024 to earn a two-year extension in March 2025. The deal is worth $6 million total, with $1 million guaranteed as a signing bonus. His 2025 base salary is $1.5 million, jumping to $2.3 million in 2026. The contract also includes workout bonuses and per-game roster bonuses that can add up to $500,000 more each year if he hits certain playing time targets.
Compared to elite guards who make $20 million or more per year, Ford’s $3 million average might seem small. But for a backup who can fill in anywhere on the line, it’s solid money. The average NFL guard makes around $2.5 million annually, so Ford earns about 20% more than that.
The Historic Birthday Reception
December 28, 2025, gave Ford the most memorable moment of his career. On his 29th birthday, the Bengals lined him up as a receiver against the Arizona Cardinals—his former team. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw him a short pass, and Ford did something offensive linemen rarely do: he broke a tackle and rumbled for 21 yards.
That play made history. At 345 pounds, Ford became the heaviest player in NFL history to record a play from scrimmage of 20 yards or more. The reception tied for the third-longest catch by an offensive lineman since 2000. Paycor Stadium went crazy as fans chanted his name.
Coach Zac Taylor revealed they’d practiced the play all week. The Cardinals clearly didn’t expect a 345-pound guard to split out wide and catch passes. The surprise worked perfectly, and Ford got a birthday present he’ll never forget.
When Things Got Controversial
Not every career moment has been positive. During the January 2020 Wild Card playoff game between Buffalo and Houston, Ford was flagged for an illegal blindside block in overtime. The 15-yard penalty knocked the Bills out of field goal range, and they eventually lost the game.
Bills fans were furious—not at Ford, but at the officials. The call looked questionable in real time, and replays made it worse. Ford was fined $28,075 by the NFL, which sparked even more outrage. Bills fans actually started a GoFundMe campaign to help him pay the fine. The fine was later reduced on appeal.
Here’s the kicker: the NFL later admitted the call was wrong. Former NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino said it shouldn’t have been called. The league even used the play in 2021 training videos as an example of what NOT to call. Ford was vindicated, but the Bills were still out of the playoffs.
Personal Life and Relationships
Ford’s personal life became public during his relationship with Tianna Robillard, a TikTok influencer with more than a million followers. The couple started dating in February 2022 and got engaged in April 2024 after Ford proposed with a romantic, candle-lit setup.
The engagement lasted just two months. In June 2024, Robillard announced their split during a TikTok livestream, suggesting there had been trust issues. She later revealed on a podcast that she left the engagement ring behind in an engraved bowl with a harsh note. The breakup was messy and played out partly in public because of Robillard’s social media presence.
Ford has since moved on and reportedly began dating someone new by August 2024. He keeps his current personal life much more private than before, focusing on football and staying out of relationship drama.
What Makes Ford Valuable
In today’s NFL, teams can only keep 53 players on their active roster. That means every spot matters, and guys who can do multiple jobs are worth their weight in gold. Ford has started games at right tackle, left tackle, right guard, and left guard during his career. Only a handful of players in the league can honestly say they’ve done that.
When the Bengals’ starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. got hurt in 2024, Ford stepped in and started five games. When left guard Cordell Volson struggled, Ford moved inside and took over that spot. When right tackle Amarius Mims went down late in the season, Ford shifted to the right side. That kind of flexibility is exactly why Cincinnati gave him a two-year extension.
His contract structure reflects this value. The Bengals aren’t paying him like a Pro Bowl starter, but they’re paying him well above league average for his position. The performance incentives built into his deal mean he can earn more by playing more—a smart arrangement that benefits both sides.
How His Wealth Compares
Ford’s $10 million net worth puts him in the middle tier of NFL offensive linemen. Elite guards like the Chiefs’ Trey Smith make more than $20 million per year. Top-tier starters average $12-15 million annually. Ford makes $3 million per year, which places him in the “quality backup/swing lineman” category.
For context, the NFL minimum salary for a veteran with seven or more years of experience is about $1.4 million. Ford makes more than double that, showing teams value him significantly above replacement level. But he’s not getting starter money because he hasn’t locked down one position long enough to become elite at it.
His total career earnings of just over $10 million also reflect the financial reality for most NFL players. The average career lasts about 3.3 years, and the average player earns far less than $10 million total. Ford has already played seven seasons and earned that much, putting him ahead of most of his draft class.
The Road Ahead
Ford enters the 2026 season with one year left on his contract and a clear role in Cincinnati. He’ll continue serving as the team’s primary backup at multiple positions, with the chance to start if injuries happen. At 29, he’s in the middle of his prime years for an offensive lineman, with potentially 3-5 more seasons left in the league.
His financial future looks secure. Even if he never signs another contract after 2026, he’s already earned enough to live comfortably if he manages it wisely. But more likely, Ford will land another deal—either with Cincinnati or another team—that pushes his career earnings toward $15 million or higher.
The smart money says Ford sticks around. Teams always need reliable veterans who know multiple positions and won’t complain about playing time. As long as he stays healthy and maintains his level of play, Cody Ford will keep collecting NFL paychecks and growing that $10 million net worth even higher.
