All eyes on Burrow as Bengals break tradition with preseason plan
Cincinnati kicks off the preseason this Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles and coach Zac Taylor is banking on early preseason reps to jumpstart 2025.
The Cincinnati Bengals are heading to Philly to take on the reigning Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles in their first preseason game this Thursday. And unlike most other NFL teams, we can actually expect to see some playing time from the Bengals’ starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow.
Bengals prioritizing fast start in preseason
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has confirmed that Burrow and other starters will play “several series” in the team’s preseason opener against the Eagles, with even more playing time expected in their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders. This is a clear shift from the usual preseason approach, where starters often see limited action early.
#Bengals coach Zac Taylor tells reporters that QB Joe Burrow and other big name players will play several series on Thursday night and more in game two against the #Commanders. New way of doing it, with eyes on starting fast.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2025
The strategy appears aimed at reversing the team’s recent trend of slow starts, including last year’s 1–4 start to the season. With high expectations entering the 2025 season and a projected win total of 9.5, Taylor is prioritizing early rhythm and readiness.
The Bengals face a mid-tier schedule ranked 14th in difficulty, but play in a stacked AFC North and have seven nationally televised games, showing that they are indeed still considered contenders. General manager Duke Tobin has emphasized the team’s offensive firepower and depth, but Burrow’s health and sharpness remain key.
Taylor’s decision to play starters more in August is a calculated gamble - one that could either give Cincinnati a competitive edge or open them up to added injury risk. The league will be watching.
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