We've officially reached the business portion of Cincinnati Bengals training camp, and that's because the reality of the business of the NFL is going to become very apparent in the coming days.
Even though Bengals head coach Zac Taylor indicated position battles can continue past the Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. deadline to shave the roster down to 53 players, the final three practices of the training-camp portion of the season are over. The last ended midday Aug. 26, and now Bengals players on the roster bubble have only the Aug. 28 preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field (8 p.m. Eastern) to make a final impression before cuts are made.
“I don't feel like anybody should feel comfortable going in this last week that they've
made the team,” Taylor said Aug. 24. “That's a big part of it, is we want guys that we can depend on. So (they’ve got) to continue to be consistent and accountable over this last week through the Philly game. And we'll make our decisions this weekend.”
Taylor confirmed on Aug. 26 his starters wouldn't see the field in Philly, so that means all the focus is going to be on evaluating the remaining roster decisions still to be made.
As we enter the final preseason game of 2026, here's where we think the Bengals project to land with their 53-man roster picks (and we have some movement since the Aug. 22 preseason game against the Chicago Bears):
Bengals quarterbacks (2)
- Joe Burrow
- Joe Flacco
Analysis: The only change to our evaluation of the quarterback position is that Josh Johnson has played well enough in training camp and during his ample in-game preseason opportunities that he might (we're not saying it's definite) get an opportunity with other organizations. There just aren't enough competent quarterbacks to go around in the NFL, and maybe this 19-year NFL veteran who is 25-for-42 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers could get a better role elsewhere in the league. If that's the case, St. Xavier High School and Penn State University product turned NFL journeyman Sean Clifford could be the No. 3 and practice squad option for Cincinnati. That wouldn't be the worst thing after Clifford went 10-for-15 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown pass (plus one interception) while zipping the ball into tight windows against the Bears on Aug. 22.
Bengals running backs (3)
- Chase Brown
- Samaje Perine
- Tahj Brooks
Analysis: The names in this group haven't changed through four versions of our 53-man roster projections. These are your running backs.
Bengals wide receivers (6)
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Mitch Tinsley
- Colbie Young
- Dohnte Meyers
Analysis: Charlie Jones misses the cut, ending his Bengals tenure. Expect to see this skilled player land on his feet, but for the upwardly mobile Bengals, it will be too tough to say "no" to Tinsley, draft pick and rookie Young, and Meyers, who was a great story throughout training camp but will now be judged strictly on his performances. The feel-good ride is over, but Meyers definitely earned his roster spot.
Bengals tight ends (5)
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Erick All Jr.
- Tanner Hudson
- Jack Endries
Analysis: The Bengals opt to keep Endries on the 53-man roster and will carry five tight ends. Make no mistake: Endries still has work to do in the preseason finale at Philly. We just think he does enough right in the biggest game of his career to-date and makes the cut.
Bengals offensive line (9)
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Dylan Fairchild
- Ted Karras
- Dalton Risner
- Amarius Mims
- Jalen Rivers
- Javon Foster
- Brian Parker II
- Connor Lew
Analysis: We have a shakeup in the offensive line room after Cody Ford was cut. But swing tackle is still the glaring need in this group. Rivers and Foster will continue their battle for that spot. It feels like the Bengals want the solution in the battle to be an internal one, and maybe this is a situation where their battle continues past the roster cutdown deadline (for now). The Bengals won't hesitate to go beyond the Paycor Stadium locker room for a solution, though. Keeping Burrow upright and healthy is of paramount importance, and make no mistake their swing-tackle depth will be tested.
Bengals defensive line (10)
- Dexter Lawrence
- Jonathan Allen
- B.J. Hill
- Boye Mafe
- Myles Murphy
- T.J. Slaton Jr.
- Shemar Stewart
- Cashius Howell
- Kris Jenkins Jr.
- Landon Robinson
Analysis: McKinnley Jackson (one solo tackle vs. Bears) is still on the outside looking in for our roster projection. Robinson (1.5 sacks, deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage, tackle-for-loss) is still above our cut line. Cedric Johnson is the hard-luck loser from a situation where the Bengals beefed up this position group significantly in the offseason.
Bengals linebackers (5)
- Barrett Carter
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Oren Burks
- Shaka Heyward
- Joe Giles-Harris
Analysis: No movement in our projections as the last two linebackers we have making the cut didn't do anything to damage their respective cases. Swayze Bozeman, a 27-year-old acquired off the waiver wire in May with 12 NFL games to his name, has been a trendy pick to stay above the cut line, but the Bengals ultimately lean on better-known commodities at linebacker.
Bengals cornerbacks (6)
- DJ Turner II
- Dax Hill
- Jalen Davis
- Tacario "Bobo" Davis
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
Analysis: "Bobo" Davis is growing into the Cincinnati setup and could be an impact player sooner than later. Ivey edges out Bralyn Lux and others to keep his spot on the roster.
Bengals safeties (4)
- Bryan Cook
- Kyle Dugger
- Jordan Battle
- PJ Jules
Analysis: No changes to our projected safety room. Jules can be an asset on special teams, too.
Specialists (3)
- K Evan McPherson
- P Ryan Rehkow
- LS William Wagner
Analysis: This group is ready for primetime. McPherson is making routine work of kicks at or around 60 yards, and punter Rehkow is relaxed, enjoying his football and being given the space to experiment with his craft.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals 53-man roster projection 4.0: Who stays, who goes for 2026
