Preseason Updates: Cincinnati Bengals

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Updates from Week 2

Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are focused on avoiding the slow starts that have hampered recent seasons. Burrow was solid to open 2024 but caught fire down the stretch, throwing for 2,925 yards and 28 touchdowns over his final nine games. That pace would have been 5,525 yards and 53 touchdowns over a full season. So far, 2025 is off to an ideal start. In his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, Burrow narrowly missed his first throw to Tee Higgins but then completed nine straight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns in less than a quarter. He connected with Ja'Marr Chase on a back-shoulder ball down the sideline, converted a third down to Higgins, and found Chase Brown on a checkdown that turned into a long gain after a broken tackle. He also scrambled to buy time for a touchdown pass that was nullified by a penalty. Beat writers have called this the most consistent camp of his career. Burrow may see a full half of action in the next preseason game as the team leans into playing starters more in August despite the slightly higher injury risk. Jake Browning is entrenched as the backup but struggled against Philadelphia, completing just 6-of-14 passes for 62 yards with an interception. Desmond Ridder was solid in the second half but appears headed for the practice squad with the Bengals unlikely to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

Preseason Updates: Running Backs

Chase Brown continues to trend upward. He played 75% of the snaps with the starters, giving way to Samaje Perine on some third downs, but handled all of the backfield opportunities and touched the ball on eight of his 12 snaps. In less than a quarter, Brown carried five times for 23 yards and caught three passes for 25 yards. Three of Burrow's 10 pass attempts went his way. Perine saw snaps with the starters but had no carries or targets, remaining valued primarily for pass protection. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic called Brown one of Week 1's biggest winners, highlighting his explosiveness in both the passing and running games. Rookie Tahj Brooks did not see snaps with the starters and finished with 26 yards on 10 carries plus two catches for three yards, but he has drawn consistent praise. General manager Duke Tobin said during the team broadcast that Brooks was not viewed as a typical sixth-round pick due to the depth of the 2025 running back class and has already exceeded expectations, particularly as a receiver. Brooks is the clear backup to Brown and would lead the backfield if Brown missed time. Gary Brightwell could make the roster as a fourth back due to special teams contributions.