The Bengals didn’t have any projected starters on the field Saturday night against the Bears, but that didn’t mean there was nothing to learn from a 27-9 win at Paycor Stadium. The backups who did play kept making their case, and several offensive rookies continued to look like real contenders for roster spots and bigger roles down the road.
Connor Lew was one of the biggest storylines. He made his debut after missing time with an ACL tear in October while at Auburn, and he got 18 snaps in his first game action back.
Even in that limited work, he flashed the traits that had him viewed as a top 50 prospect before the injury. Lew brings athleticism, sharp football IQ, and he still won’t turn 21 until August 30th.
Cincinnati already has Ted Karras penciled in as the starting center for 2026, but Lew looks like the center of the future. Getting him in the fourth round is the kind of move that could end up looking like highway robbery.
Colbie Young kept building momentum, too. The Bengals’ other fourth-round pick turned in another strong showing with three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.
He continues to look like a steady chain mover, the same kind of player he was in college. His ability to slow down at the top of his routes for a receiver his size stands out immediately.
The Bengals also held Andrei Iosivas out entirely, which pointed to him opening the season as a starting wide receiver again. Still, it’s hard to see that job staying locked down all year. Young and Dohnte Meyers should both get chances, and once they do, there’s a good chance Cincinnati will be seeing a lot more of Young as the season goes on.
Brian Parker II added another promising showing. The sixth-round pick looked like a future starter on the offensive line, handling snaps at both left and right guard after working at left guard and center the week before.
At Duke, he was mainly a right tackle, so his versatility is clearly part of the appeal. As he gets more comfortable on the interior, he also gets the benefit of learning from Ted Karras and Dalton Risner.
That combination could serve him well, because he already looks like a player who can stick in Cincinnati for a long time.
Jack Endries had a quieter night than he did in the first preseason game. He caught just one pass for 7 yards on three targets, and one of those throws became an underthrow that was intercepted by the Bears. Even so, he held his own as a blocker, posting a 67.6 pass-blocking grade and a 61.1 run-blocking grade.
Endries is still fighting for a roster spot. If the Bengals carry only four tight ends, the last place likely comes down to him or Tanner Hudson, who had two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown. Endries still looks like he can make it, but a stronger showing in Thursday’s preseason finale would help his case even more.
In Other News...
Bengals Have A Running Back Problem This Trade Could Solve
A training camp practice can expose a lot in a hurry, and one hard hit on Samaje Perine served as a reminder that the Bengals do not have much margin for error at running back. With Perine and Chase Brown both part of a depth picture that still feels unsettled, the conversation around the position has turned from what Cincinnati likes to what Cincinnati might need before the season gets rolling.
One possible answer sits in San Francisco, where Isaac Guerendo is on the PUP list while recovering from injury. The Bengals have shown in the past they are willing to look outside the building when a fit makes sense, and Guerendos blend of upside and scheme appeal makes him an interesting name to watch if Cincinnati decides it wants another back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Have A New 53-Man Roster Debate Fans Will Love
The Bengals have opened the preseason 2-0, and the early games have done more than just build a little momentum. They have also created a fresh roster conversation around a handful of players who have made a real impression while trying to push their way onto the 53-man squad. Dohnte Meyers, Colbie Young, Landon Robinson, Isaiah Foskey and Swayze Bozeman have all shown up in the right moments, turning what can be a sleepy August into a genuine competition.
With the final cutdown deadline set for Aug. 30, there is still time for the picture to change, but these performances have at least given the Bengals something to sort through. For a team that already has a few obvious locks, the intrigue now is in which of these preseason standouts can keep separating themselves when the margins get tighter and every snap starts to matter a little more. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Got Another Possible Answer To A Lingering Tackle Need
The Bengals ongoing search for tackle help has taken another turn, with Miami releasing offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer after an injury settlement tied to the knee injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve. Salyer is no stranger to NFL line work, either, having started 40 games for the Chargers before his brief stop in Miami, and he is expected to look for a new team during the season.
For Cincinnati, that makes him a name worth monitoring as the club continues to sort through possible answers at swing tackle. The Bengals have been weighing their options along the edge of the offensive line, and Salyers experience gives him a case as a veteran fallback if the team decides it wants another body with real game reps in the mix. [Read more 🡒]