The Bengals finally get to see someone else across the line of scrimmage on Thursday night, when they host the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium. It’s the first time in the 2026 season they’ll line up against an opponent instead of each other, and the starters are expected to play - just not for long. The most likely outcome is a drive or two, maybe less, before the backups and depth pieces start piling up snaps.
That makes the night less about the scoreboard and more about the details. Above all else, Cincinnati needs to come out of this healthy.
That’s the one box that matters. The Bengals have something special going, with an offense that’s never really been the question and a defense that has been completely remade.
If the new pieces on that side of the ball hold up, the combination of more talent and depth up front and Bryan Cook added to a healthy secondary could give the team a defense capable of matching a top-tier offense deep into the postseason.
The starting offense, at least on paper, should look exactly like the unit that ended 2025. Joe Burrow still has the best offensive line of his career in front of him, and he still has the league’s best receiver duo in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
There’s also plenty of work for the rest of the pass-catchers, with the receivers and tight ends all having roles to fill. An opening-drive touchdown would be a clean way to set the tone.
The most obvious area to watch, though, is the defensive line. In 2025, that group featured Trey Hendrickson, BJ Hill, TJ Slaton and Myles Murphy.
Hendrickson is no longer there, but Hill, Slaton and Murphy remain. Murphy is the only one of that group sitting atop the 2026 depth chart, and Shemar Stewart’s knee injury may have something to do with that.
The rest of the starting line is brand new, built through free agency and trade. Dexter Lawrence arrived from the Giants and is now the new face of the defense, Jonathan Allen is starting next to him, and Boye Mafe is lining up opposite Murphy.
It’s the most improved position group on the roster, and Thursday should offer the first real look at what that upgrade can do.
There’s also some intrigue around how Cincinnati plans to deploy Burrow and its tight ends. Camp has brought reports of Burrow spending more time under center, and if that becomes a real feature of the offense, it could unlock entirely new parts of the playbook.
The Bengals have also been working with 13 personnel in camp, with one wide receiver, one running back and three wide receivers. With Mike Gesicki, Erick All and a few more tight ends in the mix, the offense could look different from what most people are expecting.
Whether any of that shows up in a meaningful way against Detroit is another question. Preseason games usually stay pretty basic, so teams don’t tip their hand too much. Still, there may be a play or two that gives a hint of what’s coming next.
In Other News...
Joe Burrows Protection Is Already Raising Concerns At Bengals Camp
Cincinnatis defensive front has looked like a real strength early in camp, a notable turn after the offseason overhaul that shifted the team toward a 3-4 scheme. The new-look line has been active and disruptive, and that energy has shown up in more than a few reps against an offensive unit that is still trying to find its footing. While the defense has made its case, the offense has had a tougher time answering, especially in front of Joe Burrow.
Protection issues have cropped up often enough to become a concern, with defensive players consistently finding ways to get into the backfield or work past blockers during practice. The encouraging part for the Bengals is that the run game seems to be moving in the right direction, with Chase Brown showing promise, but Burrows comfort remains the bigger question as camp progresses and the same offensive line is asked to hold up better than it has so far. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Burrow Looks Like The Reason Bengals Can Dream Bigger
Joe Burrow has spent enough time fighting through injuries that any sign of comfort matters, and this summer has offered the Bengals a more encouraging version of their quarterback. The offense around him has changed in ways that should help too, with the club adjusting its approach and personnel to better fit what he can do now. The bigger point is simple enough for Cincinnati: if Burrow is healthier and sharper, the whole operation starts to look a lot more dangerous.
Albert Breer reported that Burrow believes he has taken another step forward as a quarterback, and that kind of internal confidence usually gets the attention of a team that has been waiting to dream bigger. With an improved roster and his mobility looking more restored, the Bengals are entering the season with a different kind of optimism than they had a year ago. The unanswered part, of course, is how far that upgraded version of Burrow can carry them once the games start counting again. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Camp Just Opened A Real Door For DJ Ivey
Training camp always has a way of reshuffling the depth chart, and this one has opened a real path for DJ Ivey. With the Bengals sorting through their cornerback rotation, Ivey and rookie Tacario Davis have been getting a longer look for playing time, and the early work has given the staff a chance to see how each handles faster reps against Cincinnatis top talent.
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 🡒]