The Cincinnati Bengals had a system in the early stages of Zac Taylor's tutelage as head coach. His starters hardly played in the preseason. Stars like Joe Burrow or Ja'Marr Chase didn't see any game action until the final scores actually counted.
It was a system that kept his guys healthy. It also may have led to a disjointed team effort against opponents who'd at least taken a handful of game reps weeks earlier.
The Bengals became known for slow starts under Taylor. They've had a winning record after four games just once since 2019. Sometimes it hasn't mattered; a 0-2 record to open 2022 ended with a run to the AFC Championship Game. Other times it has. Cincinnati started 1-3 in 2023 before narrowly missing the postseason. In 2024, Burrow and
company opened 1-4 before missing the postseason by a single game.
Thus, a change in philosophy. Burrow, Chase, Tee Higgins and more played multiple series in the Bengals' first two preseason games of 2025. Cincinnati got off to a 2-0 start, albeit against weaker opponents and while losing Burrow to a toe injury early in Week 2. The absence of one of the league's best quarterbacks had an expected effect, putting entirely too much pressure on on out-manned defense. The Bengals finished 6-11, then used the top 10 draft pick they received in return to trade for Dexter Lawrence.
Taylor will go back to that well in 2026. Burrow, Chase and more will take snaps together to start the preseason, hoping to fend off the sluggish starts that have had Cincinnati playing on hard mode from October onward. The early season schedule is difficult; after opening with an often feisty Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, three 2025 playoff teams await. The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars both have legitimate Super Bowl hopes. In between, in Week 3, lies a trip to Pittsburgh against a hated division rival.
Rather than slide behind the eight-ball again, the Bengals are hoping a few extra reps helps this team meet its potential in September rather than Halloween. Even if that means putting his stars at risk of an exhibition game injury, Taylor -- his seat hotter than ever after missing the playoffs the last three seasons -- is betting it will pay off.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase are playing in Bengals' preseason
