The Cincinnati Bengals' preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles won't feature the biggest in-game workload for quarterback Joe Burrow and other starters, but there should be plenty to dissect when the Bengals return from Lincoln Financial Field.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, speaking at Paycor Stadium Aug. 5 ahead of Cincinnati's trip to open the preseason against the defending Super Bowl champions, didn't firmly commit to anything in terms of playing time for the Aug. 7 7:30 p.m. matchup. But he did offer a framework for what he hoped his starters on both sides of the ball would get out of the game in Philadelphia.
"We don't have this targeted for our biggest play time for all of our guys. We really picked Washington (on Aug. 18) to be able to do that," Taylor said. "Another thing, I hate to put it in stone. A couple series. Several series. Several series is what we'll give those starters."
Taylor seemed to have a number of reps in mind for his first teamers, saying later that his starters could last into the second quarter if there was a time-consuming drive that ate up most of the first quarter.The Bengals figure to benefit from playing in a hostile road environments in their first two preseason games. The Eagles and Commanders bother enter 2025 with high expectations after meeting in last season's NFL Championship Game.
Those environments can't be replicated inside Paycor Stadium, or on the adjacent practice fields, during preseason.
Asked what he hoped his starters would get out of reps in the preseason opener, Taylor said, "game atmosphere."
"Going on the road like we are Week One. We do have a road primetime game early in the season," Taylor said. "Lights are on in a road environment. That's great... As much as we practice it and do it, it's not the same feel. So, I think just those 11 guys being in the huddle on both sides of the ball and all the communication that's got to occur. It's just a good opportunity for those guys to get some additional reps."
Additional reps in-game hasn't been the standard operating procedure for Cincinnati in past years, but the team has shifted its preseason philosophy after missing the playoffs for two straight years.During this training camp, Burrow had previously spoken about the benefits of playing in preseason, and fine-tuning his sense for blitzes and pocket pressure.
Taylor addressed some specific players who wouldn't see the field on Thursday.That list included Trey Hendrickson, who remains in a contract dispute with the organization.It also included B.J. Hill, Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Gesicki.
Recently-signed tight end Noah Fant also won't play, Taylor said. Fant was signed last week, and Taylor said he'll be fully integrated into the Bengals following the Eagles game.