The Cincinnati Bengals enter the week preparing for the regular season and their second preseason game against the Chicago Bears. And while the defense has received most of the praise in training camp, the offense has been on the receiving end of Cincinnati’s overhauled defensive front.
Some have viewed those o-line losses through a black-and-orange lens, suggesting the offensive line will be much more ready when the regular season begins. Others are not as optimistic after seeing the defensive line get the better of Joe Burrow’s bodyguards.
However, with the Bears in town for Thursday’s joint practice and Saturday’s preseason matchup, the o-line will face another significant test against a former undrafted free agent making waves on the banks of Lake Michigan.
Another UDFA wants to ruin the Bengals’ day
The player making the most noise at Chicago’s camp and first preseason game is edge rusher Jamree Kromah. That is partly because not much is expected of him this year.
Against the Cleveland Browns, Kromah dominated with two sacks, six tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three tackles for loss.
Kromah went undrafted in 2024 after a prolific final season with James Madison when he recorded ten sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 59 tackles.
The former Dukes defender spent parts of the last two NFL seasons on Chicago’s practice squad. Of course, the Bears and their fans were not expecting much out of him when training camp opened.
However, while he sits third string on their depth chart, Kromah is likely to get extended time in the next two preseason games to show that what he did against Cleveland was not a fluke.
And Kromah’s first test to back up his roster-making performance comes against a Cincinnati team that once again has its offensive line in the spotlight. But not for anything good.
Bengals struggled against Lions’ backups
Kromah represents the latest test for an offense that saw quarterback Joe Burrow get hit more than expected, considering the Bengals played their starters while the Detroit Lions did not in their first preseason outing.
One of the most disappointing plays came when undrafted rookie free agent Eric O’Neill went around starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. for a huge hit on Burrow. Like Kromah, O’Neill was also a productive pass rusher at James Madison, registering 13 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in his one year with the Dukes.
Another Lions defender who looked sharp against the Bengals was Ahmed Hassanein, who recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss. One of his sacks also came at Burrow’s expense.
Ahmed got 'em! pic.twitter.com/qLYfqIXgVr
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 13, 2026
As with Kromah in Chicago, Hassanein is third on the Lions’ depth chart, whereas O’Niell is fourth.
When the first full slate of preseason games came to an end, Kromah and Hassanein finished the weekend tied for first and second in total pressures, respectively.
Cincinnati will have front-row seat to Kromah’s audition
Kromah has likely already done enough to make Chicago’s 53-man roster. If that is not the case, Cincinnati has an opportunity to watch him practice and play if the Bears make the ill-advised move of trying to stash him on their practice squad.
As with every joint practice, there are sure to be a lot of one-on-one, goal-line, and 11-on-11 reps throughout Thursday’s practice. That will give the Bengals plenty of chances to get a clear view of Kromah and how he prepares and practices.
Hopefully, that view won't include too much of him making the offensive line look bad and getting too close to Joe Burrow.
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