Bengals Preseason's Spotlight is Less on Their Quarterback and More on the Depth Around Him
The Cincinnati Bengals know exactly who they are with star quarterback Joe Burrow under center; with his exceptional stats from previous seasons, the team and spectators alike are confident that the Bengals are a perennial contender with Super Bowl expectations. However, in the preseason, the spotlight around Burrow shifts towards the players who surround him. Saturday night’s preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts ended in a loss for Cincinnati with a final score of 41-14. However, the final score was secondary to the evaluation process. The spotlight shifted away from Burrow’s undeniable brilliance and toward the players who surrounded him. The focus was less on the outcome; instead, it was on making sure the depth behind him is ready to contribute once the 2025 season kicks off on September 7th against the Cleveland Browns.
One of the biggest questions this preseason is who will serve as the Bengals’ backup quarterback. Following Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury in Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season, Jake Browning stepped in and started the final seven games, guiding Cincinnati to a 4-3 record. During that stretch, he threw for 1,936 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions, even earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a statement win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13, when he set a team record with 354 passing yards in his first two starts. Browning gave glimpses of confidence and skill, but the challenge now is consistency. If Burrow misses time again in the 2025 season, the Bengals will need Browning to steady the offense, and these preseason snaps are critical to proving he can do just that.
After months of being franchised tagged, contract disputes, and trade rumors surrounding star wide receiver Tee Higgins, confusion was cleared up the moment he signed a four-year $115 million extension with the Bengals in March 2025. This deal solidified Cincinnati’s wide receiver depth chart, providing certainty and stability for the offense. With both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins under long-term contracts, their undeniable chemistry with Joe Burrow remains a cornerstone of the team’s success. Saturday’s game, on the other hand, focused more on the players behind the stars. Receivers like Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones, and Andrei Iosivas gained action during the preseason’s finale. However, Burton suffered a knee injury during this game, which was confirmed by Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor, calling into question whether he is healthy enough to remain involved for the opening game in Cleveland.
The preseason finale against the Colts focused less on the immediate results but more on reassurance. The team’s star players are set firmly in place, but the focus remains on the supporting players that will ultimately aid Cincinnati through the ups and downs during the season. Browning’s steadiness, the wide receiver depth, and emerging role players prove that the team has layers beyond its notable names. If Saturday’s game was any indication, the Bengals will enter the 2025 season not just as a contender built around its “Big Three” Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, but as a team whose depth may be its greatest strength.
