Cincinnati Bengals camp opened July 24 with the defense dominating a rusty offense. Joe Burrow calls the performance 'poorly' as key defenders are absent.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off their 2025 training camp on Thursday, and the theme of the day was clear: the defense is ahead of the offense. In a surprisingly candid assessment, quarterback Joe Burrow described the offense's first practice as 'poorly,' as the unit struggled with timing and rhythm against a swarming defense. While the sound of pads popping is a welcome return, the day was a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead, compounded by some significant missing pieces on the defensive side of the ball.
It was poorly. We've got to be better. That's what camp is for, but we expect a higher standard than that.
From the opening drills, it was evident the defense came to play. Joe Burrow, typically surgical in his execution, faced relentless pressure and tight coverage, leading to an uncharacteristic number of incompletions and scrambles. Head Coach Zac Taylor's offense, known for its high-flying potential, looked grounded and out of sync. While it's only Day 1, Burrow's blunt assessment sends a clear message: the standard is higher, and the offense has ground to make up, fast.
The defensive performance was impressive, but it came with a massive asterisk. Star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and first-round rookie Shemar Stewart were both absent from camp, a situation Burrow called 'disappointing.' Their absence is a major setback for a unit that needs to build chemistry. However, there was good news. Cornerback Dax Hill, returning from a 2024 torn ACL, was fully cleared and participated, a huge boost for the secondary. Defensive tackle B.J. Hill was also a full-go, providing some much-needed stability to the interior line.
The roster shuffling has already begun. The Bengals placed running back Zack Moss on the Non-Football Injury list as he continues to recover from the neck injury that ended his 2024 season. While Chase Brown is expected to be the lead back, Moss's absence opens up a significant opportunity for veteran Samaje Perine and rookie Tahj Brooks to earn crucial reps and carve out a role in the offense. In a smaller move, the team also waived defensive tackle Dante Barrett, an alum of the NFL's International Pathway Program.
Despite the 'poor' offensive showing and the missing teammates, Joe Burrow remained the picture of confidence. He acknowledged the team's frustrating history of slow starts, having lost the first two games in each of the last three seasons. He stressed that camp is precisely the time to iron out these issues and build the chemistry needed to hit the ground running in Week 1. For Burrow, a sloppy first day isn't a cause for panic, but a call to action.
Day one is in the books, and the storylines are already compelling. The immediate focus will be on the contract situations for Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart, as their absence looms large over a defense that needs its stars. On the field, all eyes will be on the offense to see how quickly they can shake off the rust and get in sync. The quest to avoid another 0-2 start has officially begun, and the work done in the next few weeks will determine if this team is truly ready to contend.
