CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals almost pulled off one of football’s greatest heists.
Despite the constraints of a historically poor pass-blocking unit, the franchise that entered the 2021 postseason without a playoff win in three decades was minutes away from winning its first Super Bowl before the Los Angeles Rams snatched the Lombardi Trophy from them with a dramatic comeback in the final minutes.
In the following weeks, Cincinnati decided enough was enough. The team added three starters on the offensive line in free agency -- center Ted Karras, right guard Alex Cappa and right tackle La'el Collins -- to bolster a unit that gave up 51 sacks last season.