The Cincinnati Bengals have gotten a figurative shot in the arm this offseason. Or several. Thanks to an uncharacteristically aggressive front office assembling a reinvigorated roster, the franchise is, at long last, going all-in for a Super Bowl and doing right by Joe Burrow.
Things were looking pretty hairy around this time last year. Yes, Burrow was healthy throughout training camp, but Trey Hendrickson's contract situation was like a dark cloud that indeed foreshadowed an ominous 2025 campaign for the defense.
Well, Hendrickson is gone, Dexter Lawrence is the new defensive centerpiece, and above all else from Thursday's 16-14 preseason win over the Detroit Lions, this Bengals team feels like a totally different culture than years past. There's been an identity shift in three specific, already-visible ways.
The under center offense is a work in progress, but it's a welcome change
Not the most well-oiled execution from the No. 1 offense from under center. There were a lot more snaps of that variety on Burrow's first series as opposed to his second and last. Nevertheless, you love to see Zac Taylor and the offensive coaching staff being proactive about how they can evolve the scheme.
Burrow can operate just fine out of the gun and spread the field out. He's as lethal as anyone in that situation. In order to protect his long-term health, though, the Bengals are pivoting to more under center plays, specifically in the running game.
No. 1 tailback Chase Brown should benefit in a big way from a more imaginative playbook. Just in time for a contract year, too. Although Brown only had five carries for 16 yards in Week 1 of the preseason, it wasn't like the start of last year!
Chase Brown yards gained on 47 carries this season (from least to most):
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 22, 2025
-5, -3, -3, -2, -2, -2, -1, -1, -1, -1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 11
Look how far we've come, y'all. The offensive line is solidified with all starters returning. Those run game scaries are a thing of the past.
Bengals defense doesn't appear to be a total pushover in 2026
Chase Brown actually said not long ago that he believes this Bengals defense is a top-10 or even top-five unit in the league. As I wrote at the time, that quote will either live in legend or infamy.
But the preseason opener was a fine start for that side of the ball. The opening series yielded a takeaway, courtesy of tight coverage from lockdown cornerback DJ Turner and ball hawk safety Jordan Battle nabbing the interception with ease.
The secondary is going to be pretty darn good with Turner and Dax Hill as boundary corners, and ex-Chiefs standout/Cincinnati native Bryan Cook joining Battle at safety. We knew that going in.
All eyes were on the defensive line on Thursday night, and they didn't disappoint when the starters left the field. Rookie seventh-round pick Landon Robinson had a few nice pressures as an interior pass rusher. Second-rounder Cashius Howell was uncredited but shared a sack with Kris Jenkins Jr.
Oh, and a May waiver-wire pickup, Swayze Bozeman, looks like he could challenge for the third linebacker spot behind ascending starters Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter. Bozeman had a run stop for a 4-yard loss versus the Lions, and single-handedly makes the clear weak link on the roster feel a lot better on paper.
Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow may finally avoid a slow start
Coming out in the preseason, establishing that the under center offense is a legit wrinkle added to the offensive arsenal, having the second- and third-string units buttoned up and ready to roll, reflected very well on Zac Taylor. Let's hope that sustains throughout the rest of the preseason.
That will only get the long-tenured head coach so far, however. If Taylor can't deliver once the real games start, he's going to be the inevitable fall guy. Duke Tobin has held his post in charge of personnel since 1999. He ain't losing his job. Joe Burrow has stuck by Taylor for his entire career, yet if this season goes sideways, it could get really messy in the Queen City.
Even though the Bengals started last year 2-0, the offense was sluggish. A pass protection breakdown led to Burrow's turf toe injury in Week 2. The running game, per that Chase Brown stat from before, was a disaster out of the gates. Taylor was once again seemingly accursed with the slow-start blues.
Taylor needs to prove he can hold his own as the only AFC North head coach to keep his job. He has the likes of Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins spearheading his passing attack. All that continuity, built-in chemistry, and streamlined process should give Cincinnati a massive edge this season.
That's why it's so imperative for Taylor and the Bengals to quell any concerns about his future by starting out strong. Facing the Bucs in Week 1, possibly without having to deal with trade-demanding star nose tackle Vita Vea, is a prime time to make a statement.
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