The Bengals’ offense is starting to show the shape of the changes Zac Taylor has been pushing in training camp, and Sunday’s practice delivered the clearest sign yet that those adjustments can work.
Early in camp, Cincinnati’s defense was getting the better of the offense. That’s not unusual in August, but it still left plenty of room for fans to wonder when the new-look attack would start to click with Joe Burrow at the controls. On Sunday, it finally did.
ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe was on hand near Paycor Stadium and came away impressed by what he saw from the Bengals’ offensive staff and the updated playbook. The biggest difference, Wolfe said, is that Cincinnati is leaning more into variety - less static formations, more under-center snaps, and a stronger effort to build productive drives instead of hunting for deep shots on every series.
"Getting under center…they've done it in the past. This is not new, but there's been more of a frequency of it this year.
They want to create more explosives in the run game with Chase [Brown]. [...]
The idea is to give the ball a little bit more to Chase, give a little bit different looks, and it opens up things for Joe."
That approach showed up in a team period that ended with Burrow and the offense putting together a lengthy touchdown drive. Wolfe posted that the Bengals offense marched down the field in the opening team drills, noting the added urgency and formation diversity in the 2026 offense.
The touchdown came on a Burrow throw to Andrei Iosivas, who separated from Bralyn Lux on an out-breaking route. The protection held up against what appeared to be man pressure with at least one extra rusher brought by defensive coordinator Al Golden, and Burrow got the ball out for the score.
It was a good moment for Iosivas, who doesn’t usually make his living on separation and is also being pushed for the WR3 role by Colbie Young. Even with that caveat, the play fit the bigger point: Cincinnati can still operate efficiently from the shotgun, but the under-center looks are designed to give the offense another layer.
That’s the part that stands out. The Bengals are trying to be less predictable, to give Chase Brown more to work with in the run game, and to make life easier for Burrow. With the most athletic offensive line Burrow has had and a feature back who can contribute as both a runner and a receiver, the pieces are there for a more balanced attack.
For a team that’s spent plenty of time asking Burrow to carry too much, Sunday felt like a step in the right direction. It also comes at a useful time, with Cincinnati set for Thursday’s preseason matchup with the Detroit Lions.
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Ivey has already made the kind of impression that tends to matter in August, holding his own in practice against JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins while continuing to push for a bigger role. For a secondary that still has questions to answer, the competition there feels worth watching, especially with Zac Taylor sounding determined to reset the tone after a rocky stretch and move into the season with a sharper edge. [Read more 🡒]