The Cincinnati Bengals begin their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, with practices running through Thursday before the team heads into its summer hibernation. The five-week break that follows before training camp officially ushers in the dog days of summer.
Before we settle into the quietest stretch on the NFL calendar, however, there will be three days of activity, story lines, and observations to soak in.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the Bengals’ 90-man roster as minicamp begins:
Quarterback
- Joe Flacco
- Josh Johnson
- Joe Burrow
- Sean Clifford
Notes:
It’s the Joe show. Everyone else is a camp body.
Running back
- Samaje Perine
- Gary Brightwell
- Chase Brown
- Tahj Brooks
- Kendall Milton
- Kentrel Bullock
- Jamal Haynes
Notes: Brown is the lead back, but Perine and Brooks have their roles. There’s room here for someone else to make an impression, though.
Wide Receiver
- Tee Higgins
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Andrei Iosivas
- Charlie Jones
- Mitch Tinsley
- Kendric Pryor
- Ke’Shawn Williams
- Xavier Johnson
- Jordan Moore
- Dohnte Meyers
- Noah Thomas
- Colbie Young
Notes: Chase and Higgins make up the best duo in the league, and there is no close second. Iosivas has the leg up on WR3, but it’s not a very big one. There’s room for improvement behind the big two.
Tight End
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Tanner Hudson
- Erick All Jr.
- Cam Grandy
- Jack Endies
- Josh Kattus
Notes: Gesicki is probably closer to WR3 than TE1, but there’s a lot going on in this room. We know who Sample and Hudson are, but All is a big question mark. If he’s healthy (and can stay healthy), is this a sneaky good group?
Offensive Line
- LT Orlando Brown Jr
- LG Dylan Fairchild
- C Ted Karras
- RG Dalton Risner
- RT Amarius Mims
- G/T Cody Ford
- G Jalen Rivers
- T Andrew Coker
- T Javon Foster
- C Jacob Bayer
- G Liam Brown
- C Connor Lew
- T Christian Jones
- T-G Brian Parker II
- T Corey Robinson II
Notes: The starting five are the same starting five that began the 2025 season. This is the best offensive line Burrow has had in front of him, and if everyone stays healthy, the sky’s the limit. It’s all going to start up front.
Defensive Line
- DE Boye Mafe
- DT Dexter Lawrence II
- DT Jonathan Allen
- DE Myles Murphy
- DT T.J. Slaton Jr.
- DT Landon Robinson
- DE Isaiah Foskey
- DT McKinnley Jackson
- DT Jordan Jefferson
- DE Cedric Johnson
- DE Shemar Stewart
- DT Howard Cross III
- DE Cashius Howell
- DT Kris Jenkins
Notes: The Bengals did a ton of work, including pulling the trade of a generation (when it comes to the Bengals at least), sending the No. 10 overall pick to the Giants in exchange for Lawrence, the best nose tackle in the league. The move not only reshapes the defensive line but also the entire defense. Let’s not forget the addition of Mafe and Allen as well. In short, this is the most crowded and stacked position group on the defensive side of the ball.
Linebackers
- Demetrius Knight Jr
- Barrett Carter
- Joe Giles-Harris
- Shaka Heyward
- Swayze Bozeman
- Oren Burks
- Liam Anderson
- Eric Gentry
- Jack Dingle
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Notes: The Bengals did nothing at linebacker, which is crazy considering Knight and Carter were the lowest graded linebacker duo in the league last year. The coaches and the front office believe the guys on the roster have progressed. If they have, and if Sexy Dexy can help them play more freely, it could work.
If they’re going to add someone to the roster, this is where it’s needed most.
Secondary
- CB Dax Hill
- CB Jalen Davis
- S Bryan Cook
- S Jordan Battle
- CB DJ Turner
- S Kyle Dugger
- CB Josh Newton
- S PJ Jules
- CB Ja’Sir Taylor
- CB DJ Ivey
- S Daijahn Anthony
- CB Jalen Kimber
- CB Tacario Davis
- S Isaiah Nwokobia
- CB Ceyair Wright
- S Russ Yeast
- CB Bralyn Lux
Notes: The Bengals didn’t do a ton of work in the secondary in free agency, but they did bring in the top safety on the market, Bryan Cook (a former Bearcat), back to Cincinnati. They also signed former Steeler safety Kyle Dugger to compete for snaps next to him, but it might be Battle’s job to lose right now.
Specialists
- K Evan McPherson
- LS William Wagner
- P Ryan Rehkow
Notes: No changes here, and hopefully none of these guys give us any reason to worry.
Before the calm of summer, enjoy this miniature storm of activity.
Who Dey!
Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know, it’s been comin’ for some time
When it’s over, so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know, shinin’ down like water
