The Cincinnati Bengals are back to work, the pads are on, and training camp is in full swing. Before we know it, they’ll be taking the field for their first preseason game, and the process of trimming the roster from 90 players down to 53 will begin in earnest.
Some positions are already set in stone. Quarterback is one of them. Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco are QB1 and QB2, and only an act of the football gods will change that. There are also position battles we can debate until we’re blue in the face,
but they probably won’t have much impact on Sundays. WR6, for example, is unlikely to see meaningful snaps outside of special teams.
But which camp battles will actually affect the Bengals once the regular season begins?
Here are a few that stand out—in no particular order.
CB4
Dax Hill and DJ Turner II appear to be the Bengals’ starting outside corners, while Jalen Davis is currently penciled in as the starting nickel. But who becomes the first corner off the bench when Al Golden dials up extra defensive backs?
Josh Newton and DJ Ivey both return with experience in the system, while free-agent addition Ja’Sir Taylor brings versatility. They’re joined by third-round rookie Tacario Davis, along with Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux and Ceyair Wright.
The Bengals didn’t make a major investment at cornerback this offseason, signaling confidence in Hill and Turner. Still, depth at the position always matters. Injuries happen, and today’s NFL demands that defenses play with five or six defensive backs for large portions of the game. Whoever earns the CB4 role could end up playing far more snaps than fans expect.
Backup Guard
Cody Ford appears locked in as the Bengals’ top swing lineman. I originally considered listing backup tackle as the more important battle, but it’s hard to envision anyone on the roster taking that role away from Ford.
That shifts the focus inside.
The Bengals believe they have their center of the future in Connor Lew, and with Ford likely handling tackle duties when needed, players like Jalen Rivers and Liam Brown could find themselves battling to become the primary backup at guard.
It’s not the flashiest competition, but interior offensive line depth has a way of becoming important at the worst possible time. Hopefully, whoever wins the job isn’t forced into extended action.
Backup Tight End
Mike Gesicki sits atop the depth chart, but the competition behind him could end up being just as important.
The Bengals have frequently lined up in 13 personnel (one running back, one wide receiver and three tight ends) during training camp with Joe Burrow under center. If that’s going to become a regular part of the offense, the depth chart behind Gesicki suddenly matters a lot more.
Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson have both carved out productive roles over the past few seasons. Erick All is back from injury, and rookie Jack Endries is looking to make an impression after being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They can’t keep everyone, and they won’t play everyone. It’ll be fascinating to see which three tight ends the coaching staff trusts most when those heavier personnel packages become part of the game plan.
Safety No. 4
The Bengals signed Kyle Dugger for a reason. He may not leap over Jordan Battle as the starter next to Cook at safety, but he’ll be on the field, and he’ll push Battle.
This isn’t about Dugger and Battle, though. This is about who takes up the fourth, and possibly final, safety spot on the roster. It’ll come down between PJ Jules and Daijahn Anthony. The winner of this battle keeps their spot on the 53-man roster and also becomes a special-teams contributor.
There are plenty of other camp battles worth following, but these feel like the ones most likely to influence what we see once the games start counting.
Which position battle do you think will have the biggest impact on the Bengals this season?
Sound off.
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