In their 2025 preseason opener, the Cincinnati Bengals fell to the Philadelphia Eagles despite playing several starters. Now, Joe Burrow has pointed to one teammate he believes can elevate the team to a whole new level.
The Bengals are hoping for a much stronger start this year. In 2024, a shaky first half of the season cost them dearly in their pursuit of a playoff spot.
To prevent another slow start, head coach Zac Taylor chose to play some starters in the preseason opener. However, things didn’t go as planned, as Cincinnati lost to an Eagles team that primarily used backups.
Joe Burrow names the Bengals player who can take them to the next level
There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the Bengals this season. With a stacked roster, particularly on offense, the spotlight is naturally on Joe Burrow.
On Thursday, Burrow made his 2025 debut in the preseason opener against the Eagles. The result was a disappointing 34–27 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champions.
While the Eagles are arguably the most complete team in the league, they rested most of their starters—unlike the Bengals. That contrast prompted Burrow to speak up and challenge his teammates to raise their game.
Following the loss, Burrow was asked what changes the team needs to make. While he touched on a few areas, he singled out one player who could significantly boost the offense: Chase Brown.
“He’s playing a huge role for us,” Joe Burrow said of the running back. “He caught some out of the backfield today. If we get four, five, six yards every time we hand it to him, it’s going to pay dividends.”
When is the Bengals’ next preseason game?
After their preseason defeat to the Eagles, the Bengals will now face another NFC East squad. Their next matchup is against the Washington Commanders, a team considered a strong contender in 2025.
That game is scheduled for Monday, August 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams are expected to give some of their starters limited reps to help build rhythm while minimizing injury risk.