The Cincinnati Bengals have typically afforded their top players sparing preseason action during Zac Taylor’s six seasons in charge of the team.
That approach is poised to change in 2025.
The Bengals are playing their preseason opener Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Star quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to play in that contest, as are several other key playmakers like Ja’Marr Chase.
Why are the Bengals changing their approach and giving their starters more action during the 2025 preseason? Here’s what to know about Cincinnati’s strategic shift.
Why Bengals are playing Joe Burrow, other starters in preseason
Taylor explained he is hoping getting his players exposed earlier to ‘game atmosphere’ will allow the Bengals to get off to a faster start during the 2025 NFL season.
‘Going on the road like we are Week 1. We do have a road primetime game early in the season,’ Taylor told reporters Tuesday. ‘So, the lights are on, you’re in a road environment. That’s great… As much as we practice it and do it, it’s not the same feel. So, I think just those 11 guys being in the huddle on both sides of the ball and all the communication that’s got to occur. It’s just a good opportunity for those guys to get some additional reps.’
The Bengals have typically gotten off to a slow starts under Taylor. They sport a 1-5 record under his leadership in Week 1 and have started three consecutive seasons with a mark of 0-2 or worse, including an 0-3 start to the 2024 NFL season that played a critical role in their missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
That’s why the Bengals are experimenting with giving their top players more preseason reps, a decision that has been received positively by their best players.
‘Yeah, I’m excited for the chance to get better,’ Burrow said about the preseason in late July. ‘Those are valuable reps that we haven’t had in the past for good reason, but I think we’re making the right decision this year, and I think that’s going to benefit us in the long run.’
Still, while Burrow and Co. will see increased action in the preseason, they aren’t targeting the Eagles matchup as their biggest workload of the preseason.
‘We don’t have this targeted for our biggest play time for all of our guys. We really picked Washington to be able to do that,’ Taylor explained.
So, how much will the Bengals top players be on the field in preseason Week 1?
‘Another thing, I hate to put it in stone,’ Taylor said. ‘A couple series. Several series. Several series is what we’ll give those starters.’
That may not seem like a lot. However, Burrow has attempted just eight preseason passes since 2021. As such, playing ‘several series’ would represent a major uptick in tune-up opportunities for the Bengals starting offense.