Bengals to Feature Starters in Preseason Opener Against Lions

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to begin their preseason schedule next Thursday with a game against the Detroit Lions. Head coach Zac Taylor announced that the team's starters will participate in this matchup during a press conference.

Taylor indicated that the starters will see some action, although the exact amount of playing time will be determined later. This strategy mirrors the approach taken at the start of the 2025 preseason, where key players like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase were active on the field. In that preseason, Burrow completed 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns before being substituted.

This change in strategy aims to facilitate a quicker start to the regular season, which previously yielded success with two initial wins. However, the season was later impacted by an injury to Burrow, contributing to a disappointing 4-11 record thereafter.