The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off the preseason showing flashes of offensive brilliance against the Philadelphia Eagles. Star quarterback Joe Burrow led two opening drives that ended in touchdowns, connecting impressively with Ja’Marr Chase and other impact receivers.
Despite the team’s offensive production, Burrow identified areas for improvement. Cincinnati chose to field their best players against the Super Bowl champions, with Chase meeting expectations by catching four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating why he is one of the most dominant receivers in the league.
At the same time, the team is adding more versatility with key weapons like Tee Higgins, while head coach Zac Taylor emphasizes the importance of giving more playing time to his stars. In that context, Burrow acknowledged the team’s on-field performance but used the opportunity to put more pressure on his teammates.
Burrow’s demands
“It’s good to play football again… I could’ve been better, I missed the first throw. I threw all the other ones where I wanted to put them but I could have spun it a little better… We got to be better. Too many procedural penalties, too many errors… It just wasn’t clean enough, across the board,” Burrow admitted to the media after the game against the Eagles.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The message is clear: Burrow demands excellence and precision. With Chase and other playmakers in top form, the challenge is to maintain that level of execution without mistakes, under the critical eye of a Burrow who won’t settle and a Zac Taylor willing to make adjustments to ensure a strong start this time.
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What’s next for the Bengals’ preseason?
The Cincinnati Bengals will continue their preseason by facing the Washington Commanders on the road on Monday, August 18, and then hosting the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 23. For the regular season, the Bengals will open their 2025 campaign on Sunday, September 7, visiting the Cleveland Browns, marking the official start of their NFL season.
