The Bengals are leaning into an offense that looks a little different this offseason, and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher believes the changes can take them where they want to go.
Cincinnati is spending more time under center and using more motion, and Pitcher thinks that shift gives the unit a better chance to hold up in the AFC North.
“We feel like this is going to help us build an offense that can win in a number of different ways and one that can win us an AFC North championship,” Pitcher said, via Dan Pitcher of The Athletic. “Whether or not it wins us a training camp trophy, I don’t know, but I don’t really care.”
Running back Chase Brown said the new approach has forced him to do more homework than he used to.
“ We all got to prepare a little bit more, at least I do, a lot for the motions and playing F and wherever they are putting me takes a little extra study time because I haven’t really done that before, ” Brown said. “It’s cool they trust me doing that and believe in my skill set enough. It’s been fun.”
That new look has already shown up in camp. Ja’Marr Chase lined up in motion into the backfield to Brown’s right before taking a shovel pass, and tight end Drew Sample said the Bengals have actually had that play in their playbook for eight years. What’s changed is the presentation.
“We’ve had that play in for eight years,” Sample said. “We are just trying different wrinkles with it.
That’s the thing to us: We are running the same play, but with some different window dressing. Obviously, with Ja’Marr and Chase Brown we have so many weapons.
We have this base play in; how can we really try to f- with them? That’s something that’s really easy for us.
We call a slight formation adjustment, but everybody knows it is the same play.”
In Cleveland, Deshaun Watson is still very much part of the conversation, even with everything that has happened around him. He remains in the mix to start again, and could even be the front-runner over Shedeur Sanders in the Browns’ ongoing competition.
The idea hanging over Watson is simple enough: can he ever get back to the level he showed early in his Texans days? Browns HC Todd Monken isn’t shutting that door.
“Well, first of all, I would never put limitations on a player. I’d hate that he would do that,” Monken said via Pro Football Talk.
“Why can’t he be? Why can’t he play like that?
I don’t know, I haven’t seen it yet. I’m not going to say he can’t until I see it.
“I’ve seen a lot of really good things over the course of the four or five months I’ve been here. I’m not going to put that on him.
If he thinks he can’t play like that, that’s on him. I think he’s done a lot of really good things athletically, making plays that we’re going to get a chance to see, because we’re not live.
We’ll see if that comes to play when we get out there and go.”
Watson, for his part, said the player he was in Houston is in the past.
“I’m different, man,” Watson said. “I think, ever since I’ve been here, early on bringing up Houston was cool, but I’m 30 now and I’ve had some injuries and things like that, so my game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play, and how I approach it, doesn’t change.
“So, I think the biggest thing is just going out there, playing free, and letting my instincts take over. That’s the biggest thing. Coach O’Brien always told me to trust my instincts, so I think that’s the biggest thing, just go out there, play free, and let the game come to you.”
Baltimore’s camp has had its own list of names popping. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec said third-round receiver Ja’Kobi Lane has put together one of the most impressive rookie training camps for a receiver in recent memory.
Zrebiec also noted that 2025 UDFA Keyon Martin is making a real push for a roster spot again at cornerback. Third-year corner T.J. Tampa is pressing for a starting role ahead of veteran Chidobe Awuzie, and Zrebiec reported the Ravens turned down trade interest in Tampa.
On the offensive line, even with Ethan Pocic in the building, Zrebiec wrote that Danny Pinter still looks like the favorite to win the starting center job.
There are also a few roster-bubble names worth watching. Devontez Walker and K’Von Wallace have been solid, but Zrebiec said both could still be passed by other players.
The Ravens’ run game is set to remain central, too. OC Declan Doyle said Derrick Henry will have “ an immense role ” in the offense, though he didn’t specify how many carries Henry might get.
“I was telling the offensive staff how cool it is when you call a run play - and you’re a first-time playcaller - and Derrick Henry is the running back. And you’re like: the odds of this working is a lot higher.” (Jamison Hensley)
There’s also optimism on the defensive side. HC Jesse Minter said corners Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey are trending toward a return next week, with both dealing with “relatively small things.” Minter also said defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is moving in the right direction and should begin mixing into the action over the next week or two.
In Pittsburgh, ESPN’s Ben Solak sees the Steelers’ backfield as a true two-man setup with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, pointing out that both backs can impact the game as runners and pass-catchers.
At receiver, second-round pick Germie Bernard was working strictly with the second unit when Solak was at camp, and he looked like he was still sorting through the details of the playbook. Right now, Roman Wilson appears to be ahead of him.
Aaron Rodgers wants Bernard to keep the game simple and play with speed.
“He’s so sudden. He’s got phenomenal hands…we just need him to be super confident and play as fast as he can.” (Nick Farabaugh)
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