Joe Burrow has plenty of reasons to feel good about where the Cincinnati Bengals stand heading into the season.
The biggest one is the group around him. During a deep look at the Bengals’ open practice last Friday, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer pointed to just how loaded this offense can be.
"A lot of quarterbacks would be confident throwing to Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase," Breer wrote. "But it really is, from a talent standpoint, more than just that. Chase Brown’s growth will allow the team to use him in different ways and he is, as always, in top shape."
That’s the core of it for Cincinnati. Higgins and Chase remain one of the NFL’s premier receiver duos, and Brown is coming off his first 1,000-yard season with a chance to make this attack even more dangerous in 2026. If he keeps building on that breakout, the Bengals’ offense gets another layer defenses have to account for.
Breer also noted that rookie receiver Colbie Young has already started turning heads in camp. The former Georgia wideout could end up pushing for the third spot in the receiving room, which only adds to the competition and depth Burrow has available to him.
Then there are the tight ends. With Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki in the mix, Cincinnati has veteran options that help round out what could be the league’s most explosive offense.
But the same two issues keep hanging over everything: the offensive line and Burrow’s health.
Keeping Burrow upright remains the most important job in front of the Bengals’ line. If that protection breaks down, the whole operation changes in a hurry. And Burrow is still working his way back from a serious turf toe injury, the kind of issue that can affect how a quarterback plays even after he’s cleared.
Those are the concerns that could shape the Bengals’ 2026 outlook. For now, though, the early signs from camp suggest things are moving in the right direction.
The Bengals open preseason play Thursday against the Detroit Lions, the first of three preseason games.
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 🡒]