The Cincinnati Bengals will play Joe Burrow and starters vs. the Eagles in the 2025 preseason, a risky move to avoid another slow start. Will it pay off?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Forget everything you thought you knew about the Cincinnati Bengals' preseason. In a dramatic shift from years past, head coach Zac Taylor announced Tuesday that Joe Burrow and the starting units will see significant action in Thursday's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The move is a direct response to the team's crippling slow starts, including last season's 1-4 skid that put their playoff hopes in an early hole. The message from the coaching staff is clear: The time for ramping up is over. The time to be sharp is now.
It's a calculated risk, but one we feel is necessary to gain a competitive edge.
For years, Bengals fans have grown accustomed to seeing star players wrapped in bubble wrap until Week 1. Not anymore. Zac Taylor's decision to play his starters for 'several series' is a bold gamble aimed at one thing: building rhythm. After stumbling to a 1-4 start last season, the Bengals can't afford a similar fate in 2025, especially with a projected win total of 9.5 and seven nationally televised games on the docket. The AFC North is a gauntlet, and as General Manager Duke Tobin noted, while the offensive depth is strong, the team's success hinges on a healthy and sharp Joe Burrow. The plan is for Burrow to see meaningful snaps in the first two preseason contests, a high-risk, high-reward strategy designed to have the offense firing on all cylinders from the opening kickoff of the regular season.
While all eyes will be on Burrow, the preseason action provides a crucial proving ground for the rest of the roster. The biggest surprise of camp so far might be sixth-round rookie running back Tahj Brooks. Brooks has been turning heads with his versatile skill set, earning a stunning comparison to Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith from his college coach at Texas Tech, Joey McGuire. After rushing for over 4,500 yards in the Big 12, Brooks is showing he can be another dynamic weapon in this offense, potentially shaking up the running back rotation. Meanwhile, the coaching staff is carefully managing the health of key players, with tight end Mike Gesicki and rookie tackle Amarius Mims being evaluated daily. Their status underscores the inherent risk of Taylor's new preseason plan, making the integration of other rookies like offensive lineman Jalen Rivers all the more critical.
To understand the urgency, you only need to look at last season's numbers. The 2024 Bengals finished with a solid 10-7 record, but it was a tale of two seasons. The offense was a juggernaut when healthy, averaging over 27 points per game and racking up 36 passing touchdowns on a 69.2% completion rate. The defense was opportunistic, generating 21 takeaways. However, a zero turnover differential and a 4-2 record in the division highlight how thin the margins are. A team with this much firepower can't afford to give away games early in the season. The stats prove the Bengals have the talent; Taylor's new strategy is about ensuring they have the execution from day one.
The debate will rage among fans and analysts: is the injury risk worth the potential for a fast start? We'll get our first glimpse on Thursday against the Eagles. One thing is certain—the Bengals are leaving nothing to chance in their 2025 quest for a Lombardi Trophy. The preseason just got a whole lot more interesting in Cincinnati.
