The Cincinnati Bengals have been in training camp for a week now so let’s take a look at the players who are ‘hot’ and those who are ‘not’ after one week of camp is in the books.
This is the most anticipated season of Cincinnati Bengals football maybe ever, as the stripes reached the Super Bowl last season and fell just short of winning the franchise’s only championship.
The team is ready to run it back and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl once again but first up, they have to get through training camp.
One thing needs to be said here and that’s that this is only practice. We’ll know more about the team and where certain players stand when the preseason games get underway next weekend. For now, all we can go off of is what we hear from the media and see on social media.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at the Bengals who are ‘hot’ and the Bengals who are ‘not’ after one week of training camp.
All stats courtesy of ESPN
Hot: Evan McPherson
This is an easy one. After mixed reviews from the fans when the team spent a fifth-round pick on Evan McPherson, the rookie went on to become one of the most well-known kickers in the league for what he was able to accomplish during the 2021 season.
McPherson has seemingly picked up where he left off from a season ago and nailed a 65-yard field goal on Saturday that looked like it’d have been good from 70 yards out. The kid is sensational and while there’s reason to believe he could have a sophomore slump in 2022, he’s showing no signs of slowing down in camp.
Evan McPherson wraps todays session burying a 65-yard field goal.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 30, 2022
Sends the big crowd home happy.
Not: La’el Collins
Fans were rightfully ecstatic when the Bengals were able to sign La’el Collins after the Cowboys released him over the offseason. It was a huge get for the team considering their need to upgrade the offensive line and him being the perfect fit for them at right tackle.
Well, even with Collins joining the reigning AFC champions, he’s yet to take a snap with them in training camp due to a back injury. While Zac Taylor has said that Collins is day-to-day, it’s been a bummer not to see him on the field. He was arguably the most exciting free agent addition this offseason and not seeing him in action is unfortunate.
Hot: Ja’Marr Chase
How far we’ve come in a year, right? This time last year, we were hearing all about how Ja’Marr Chase was struggling with drops. Fast forward to this summer and Chase is one of the stars of training camp.
This isn’t surprising considering the dominant season he just put together, which ended with him receiving the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Chase set a high bar as a rookie but he’s wheeling and dealing in training camp so far and that’s even more impressive when you consider that it’s Brandon Allen throwing to him and not Joe Burrow.
Chase could have had issues again this summer and no one would have been worried but it’s good to see him not losing a step at all as he heads into year two.
In case anyone is wondering, there’s been 0 regression in Ja’Marr Chase’s game so far. He looks excellent,
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) August 2, 2022
Not: Trenton Irwin
We haven’t heard much about Trenton Irwin so far in training camp and that’s not a good sign for a guy hoping to stick on the team as a depth piece. This time last year, Irwin was impressing everyone in camp and the preseason games, which led to him earning a spot on the team. He wasn’t a huge contributor during the regular season, catching just two passes in seven games.
Now, Irwin could find himself getting passed by one of the UDFAs. He still has three preseason games and plenty of practices to show what got him on the team a season ago but otherwise, he could find himself on the practice squad.
Hot: Kendric Pryor
Out of all of the UDFA wide receivers coming in, Kendric Pryor didn’t get talked about as much as guys like Jaivon Heiligh and Kwamie Lassiter. That was probably because his stats during his final year at Wisconsin weren’t worth writing home about (416 receiving yards and three touchdowns) but he’s proven to people that he does deserve to be in the 53-man roster conversation.
Pryor has put up some solid days with the team just one week into training camp. While it’ll be a tough climb for him to get onto the 53-man roster, with him showing off his skills and Trenton Irwin not impressing too much, he can absolutely make it happen.
UDFA WR Kendric Pryor with another strong day. Had a great rep versus rookie Cam Taylor-Britt in 1-on-1s, makes a sliding catch in team drills.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 2, 2022
Not: Pooka Williams
Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons didn’t hold back when discussing some players’ chances of making the team. Pooka Williams was one of the players who Simmons was pretty honest with, recounting that he told both William and UDFA rookie Kwamie Lassiter that they’d only be on the team if they could make it as a punt returner.
ST coordinator Darrin Simmons on WRs Pooka Williams and Kwamie Lassiter: "I told Pooka and I told Kwamie the same thing, the only way you’re going to be on this team is you’re going to be punt returner. That’s your only chance to be on the team."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 27, 2022
Unfortunately for Williams, he hasn’t shined bright in this role so far. He made the practice squad last year and did see limited time as a return specialist but didn’t impress. This year, he has to show that he can a reliable punt returner and sadly, he’s already fumbled during camp this season. Not a great look for someone vying to be a special teams contributor.
These six players made this list because they’ve either been impressive one week into training camp, or they’ve been disappointing. Will the ones who are in the ‘not’ category turn things around?