However, fans will not get to see either of the quarterbacks who sit at the center of those ambitions. Caleb Williams will not play for Chicago, while Joe Burrow will also remain on the sideline for Cincinnati as both coaching staffs prioritize the regular season over preseason evaluation.

For the Bears, head coach Ben Johnson has decided not to expose Williams to unnecessary contact. The Bengals have taken an equally cautious approach with Burrow, with Zac Taylor opting to keep his franchise quarterback out of the remaining preseason games.

Why isn’t Caleb Williams playing for the Bears?

Caleb Williams’ absence is a decision made by Ben Johnson rather than a sign of a new injury concern. The Bears already know what their starting quarterback can do, and there is little benefit in putting their young star at risk in a preseason game.

Chicago’s coaching staff can instead use the matchup to evaluate the quarterbacks fighting for depth-chart positions. Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Miller Moss are expected to handle the quarterback duties as they continue competing for opportunities and roster spots. Bagent was sidelined during the team’s preparation for the game, which could create additional work for Keenum and Moss.

Why isn’t Joe Burrow playing for the Bengals?

Joe Burrow will also watch from the sideline, and Taylor has already made the decision that Cincinnati’s starters will not play in either of the team’s final two preseason games. That means Burrow will not see action against Chicago as the Bengals turn their attention toward preparing for the regular season.

The Bengals have plenty of reasons to be cautious with their franchise quarterback. Burrow missed much of the 2025 season after suffering a significant toe injury that required surgery, eventually returning late in the year. With Cincinnati hoping to compete for the Super Bowl, exposing him to unnecessary preseason contact would offer very little reward.

Taylor is also trying to avoid another slow start to the regular season, but that does not mean the Bengals need Burrow to play in August. The coaching staff can address timing, execution and preparation through practices while allowing the veteran quarterback to enter the regular season healthy.

Who will play quarterback for the Bears and Bengals?

With Williams unavailable, the Bears will rely on their backup options. Bagent, Keenum and Moss all have something to prove, making the game particularly important for players trying to secure their place on the final roster.

Keenum brings extensive NFL experience, while Bagent has already shown that he can operate Chicago’s offense in regular-season situations. Moss, meanwhile, is looking to make an impression as he competes for a place on the roster. Chicago’s 2026 preseason opener already showed the value of that depth, with Keenum throwing for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 34-10 win over Cleveland.

Cincinnati will turn to Josh Johnson and veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco’s continued presence in the NFL remains one of the league’s more remarkable stories, and the 41-year-old quarterback continues to compete for opportunities despite having already enjoyed a lengthy career.

How to watch Bengals vs Bears in the USA

Fubo and NFL+ are the two ways to watch Bengals vs. Bears live. Fubo lists the matchup among its available NFL games, while NFL+ provides live access to preseason games, subject to applicable market and blackout restrictions.

Can I watch Bengals vs Bears for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial, giving eligible new subscribers a way to watch Bengals vs. Bears without paying during the trial period. Its current plan information lists a 5-day trial, although eligibility and availability can vary by plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears enter Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason with identical 1-0 records. Cincinnati opened its preseason with a 16-14 victory over the Detroit Lions, while Chicago dominated the Cleveland Browns 34-10.

Although the results do not count toward the regular-season standings, Saturday’s matchup at Paycor Stadium is an important opportunity for both coaching staffs to evaluate players and refine their depth charts before the regular season.

For Cincinnati, the preseason opener provided a brief look at Joe Burrow, who played two series and completed five of his six passes before leaving the game. Joe Flacco then led the offense for a longer stretch, including a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jack Endries. The Bengals are also continuing to assess a deep roster, particularly at wide receiver, tight end, defensive line and the secondary.

The Bears, meanwhile, are coming off a convincing win but Caleb Williams did not play in the preseason opener, as head coach Ben Johnson elected to rest a number of starters. Tyson Bagent started and was expected to play roughly a half, giving Chicago an extended look at its depth.

Williams had been throwing touchdown passes in practice before the team traveled to Cincinnati, so his potential involvement against the Bengals is one of the key storylines heading into Saturday.

What time is the Bengals vs Bears match?

The Bengals vs Bears game kicks off Saturday, August 22, at 7:00 PM ET at Paycor Stadium. For viewers across the United States, these are the corresponding local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

“I’m tired of saying ‘next year, next year, next year.’ This is it. Life is too short to keep pushing things down the road,” Burrow said following a joint practice with the Chicago Bears ahead of Saturday’s preseason clash.

As Burrow gears up for another preseason tune-up, he has made it clear that he isn’t just aiming for individual milestones, but setting a standard for the Bengals in 2026.

Cincinnati’s front office enters the season confident in a re-tooled roster, headlined by former New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence making immediate waves at Bengals camp. Now, it’s only a matter of time before they put that revamped lineup to the test in the regular season.

Chase backs Burrow’s ‘now or never’ mindset

Ja’Marr Chase also addressed the media prior to the preseason tilt against Chicago, forcefully echoing his quarterback’s urgent tone. “We just better f***ing protect Joe!” Chase said, emphasizing that the entire locker room is locked into Burrow’s championship mandate.

If Burrow and the Bengals hope to bring a Lombardi Trophy to Cincinnati, alignment across the roster will be essential. With Chase and the core veterans fully bought into Burrow’s vision, anticipation among the fanbase is at an all-time high.

Bengals’ key offseason additions for the 2026 campaign

To evaluate whether a Super Bowl run is realistic for Cincinnati this year, let’s break down the notable offseason arrivals and departures shaping the 2026 roster:

• New additions
  • Dexter Lawrence II (DT)
  • Boye Mafe (EDGE)
  • Jonathan Allen (DT)
  • Bryan Cook (S)
  • Kyle Dugger (S)
  • Ja’Sir Taylor (CB)
  • Joe Flacco (QB) – Re-signed as Joe Burrow’s backup
  • Josh Johnson (QB)
• Departures
  • Trey Hendrickson (EDGE) – Signed with the Baltimore Ravens
  • Cam Taylor-Britt (CB) – Signed with the Indianapolis Colts
  • Geno Stone (S) – Signed with the Buffalo Bills
  • Joseph Ossai (DE) – Signed with the New York Jets
  • Jake Browning (QB) – Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Lucas Patrick (G) – Signed with the New York Giants
  • Cordell Volson (G) – Signed with the Tennessee Titans
  • Tycen Anderson (S) – Signed with the Denver Broncos
  • Marco Wilson (CB) – Signed with the Miami Dolphins

How to watch Bengals vs Lions in the USA

The Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals preseason game will be available to watch on NBC in the USA, with kickoff scheduled for Thursday. For streaming, NFL+ and Fubo are the main option for viewers outside the local markets.

Can I watch Bengals vs Lions for free?

Viewers can watch Bengals vs. Lions for free with Fubo‘s 5-day free trial. It is carrying the matchup and currently offers a free trial for new eligible subscribers, allowing fans to watch the game without paying during the trial period.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Bengals and Lions are opening their 2026 NFL Preseason schedules, but the two teams are approaching Thursday night’s matchup at Paycor Stadium with different priorities.

Cincinnati is expected to give several projected starters some work, including Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Dexter Lawrence, making the game an early opportunity to build rhythm before the regular season.

Detroit is taking a different approach. Jared Goff is not expected to play, leaving young quarterback Luke Altmyer with an important opportunity to take significant snaps against a Bengals defense that will feature some of its top players. The Lions are using the opener primarily to evaluate younger players and position battles ahead of roster cuts.

One of the most intriguing battles to follow is along Detroit’s offensive line, where Seth McLaughlin is competing for the starting center job. Rookie Blake Miller is also expected to receive meaningful playing time at tackle. With several established Lions sitting out, the preseason opener could have a direct impact on how the team’s depth chart develops.

What time is the Bengals vs Lions match?

The Bengals vs. Lions game kicks off today, Thursday, August 13, at 7:00 PM ET at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Lions’ official schedule and the game’s ticket information both confirm the 7:00 PM ET start.

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

“It won’t be a ton of time, but for our fans to come out there, they’re going to see Joe, Ja’Marr, and Tee. They’re going to see Dexter,” the head coach said during his press conference. “So, they’ll get a chance to enjoy some of our players there. But how long I keep them out there remains to be seen.”

Three other quarterbacks are waiting for their opportunity behind Burrow this season: veteran Joe Flacco, who joined the team midway through last season; rookie Josh Johnson; and, finally, Sean Clifford.

Burrow aims to stay healthy this time around

During 2025, Joe Burrow suffered a severe Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, requiring surgery to repair torn ligaments in his foot. The injury kept him sidelined for nine games—forcing him to miss Weeks 3 through 12—before he was finally cleared to return to action in Week 13.

Heading into 2026, Burrow will look to stay healthy starting from Week 1 by relying on improved pocket management, quicker pass release times, and stronger protection from his offensive line to minimize unnecessary hits and complete a full 17-game campaign.

The Bengals’ 2026 Preseason games

Joe Burrow and his Bengals kick off their 2026 preseason campaign tonight, August 13, at Paycor Stadium against the Detroit Lions. They will remain at home for their second exhibition game when they host the Chicago Bears on Saturday, August 22, before wrapping up their preseason schedule on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, August 28.

Joe Goodberry of the Locked On Bengals podcast spoke to Ari Meirov about Lawrence’s impact. “He [Dexter Lawrence] has been the best player in camp. He has been absolutely destroying them… He really looks like he’s back to the 2022/2023 dominant player.”

That is frightening news for the rest of the NFL. The Bengals always had huge offensive firepower, but lacked defense. Now, Lawrence could be the one piece that puts them over the hump. Fully healthy and in form, Lawrence can be a Defensive Player of the Year contender.

Why the Giants could miss Lawrence?

Lawrence was disgruntled and asked to be traded. Now, the Giants received a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft which is a great price. They used it to select Offensive Tackle Francis Mauigoa. However, they could still miss Dexter Lawrence quite a lot.

The Giants’ revamped defensive front faces a steep drop-off in interior pressure and run-stopping capability following his departure. Also, pass rusher Brian Burns said the defense “ain’t the Giants without No. 97,” making note of how important Lawrence’s interior pressure was for the G-Men.

Why Lawrence could solve all Bengals’ defensive woes?

Lawrence will be anchoring the interior defensive line with elite run-stopping power and constant pass rush. His massive 340-pound presence eats up multiple blockers, fixing a glaring rush defense weakness that struggled heavily last season.

“Honestly, he’s been terrorizing practice,” the talented wide receiver told Yahoo Sports. “I can honestly say that.” The first padded practice of the 2026 training camp is starting to heat things up for the Bengals.

Lawrence, who managed to take down Dalton Risner during practice, has taken his role on this team seriously: “Sometimes you got to assert yourself and let guys know who you are,” the nose tackle said. “It ain’t going to stop.”

The Bengals’ defensive leap

The acquisition of nose tackle Dexter Lawrence represents a massive leap in quality for the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive front. Coming off a 2025 season with the New York Giants where he started all 17 games, recording 31 tackles (14 solo), four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one interception, Lawrence brings elite interior power, double-team gravity, and disruptive run defense.

His presence elevates the entire unit, slotting in alongside veteran tackle Jonathan Allen (acquired from the Vikings), high-upside edge rusher Myles Murphy, and newly added pass rusher Boye Mafe (arrived from the Seahawks) to form a formidable, high-impact defensive line.

Cincinnati aims to improve last season’s numbers

After finishing third in the AFC North with a disappointing 6–11 record, the Bengals enter the upcoming season determined to overhaul a defense that heavily compromised their performance. In 2025, Cincinnati ranked among the league’s worst defensive units, surrendering 492 total points (28.9 points per game, 30th in the NFL) and allowing 6,475 total yards along with 49 touchdowns.

Opponents also converted on 43.4% of third downs and 70.0% of fourth downs against them. Rebuilding this side of the ball will be the top priority as the Bengals aim to turn these bottom-tier metrics around and compete for the division title once again.

“Good for us,” Flacco said via the Bengals official website. Not having to face one of the league’s best defensive ends twice during the season could be beneficial for Cincinnati, but there are those who believe the team cannot afford to relax because of this situation.

“It doesn’t matter. You still have to go win on Sundays. Congrats to Myles. That’s how I feel. We still have to go win,” Orland Brown Jr. said. “(Verse) is a young player who is also a great player. Very talented. I have a lot of respect for his game.”

Amarius Mims will also be tasked with protecting his quarterback, whether that ends up being Joe Flacco or Joe Burrow. The addition of Jared Verse to the Browns as part of that trade does not necessarily weaken the Rams’ roster, as Los Angeles still boasts plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. “It’s the hardest division anywhere, whether it’s Myles Garrett or Jared Verse,“ he said.

Garrett takes his talents to the NFC West

The Los Angeles Rams have completely shaken up the NFL with a true blockbuster trade. Myles Garrett’s arrival to Rams instantly makes their defense terrifying, especially considering he is coming off a legendary 2025 campaign.

Garrett was named the Defensive Player of the Year after anchoring the league with a historic NFL record of 23 sacks, while also racking up 17 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, and 4 forced fumbles.

When do the Bengals and Browns face off?

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns are scheduled to face each other twice during the 2026 NFL regular season. Their first division rivalry matchup will take place in Week 13 on Sunday, December 6, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.

They will wrap up their season series in Week 18 on Sunday, January 10, 2027 (or Saturday, January 9, depending on NFL flexing), when the Bengals host the Browns at Paycor Stadium.

Murphy spoke to Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News about the declined fifth-year option, and said “I knew it was a possibility. Duke (Tobin) and everyone upstairs, they’ve been pretty transparent on ‘we spent a lot of money this offseason.’ So, it does make sense… No hard feelings.”

The Bengals would’ve had to pay Murphy $14.475 million if they picked up that fifth-year option. Murphy was a first-round pick for the Bengals in 2023. In 2025, Murphy had arguably the best season of his career, yet the team still decided against keeping him under the current contract after this season.

Murphy could still earn a big bag if 2026 goes well

In 2025, Murphy had career-highs in sacks (5.5), QB hits (10), and tackles for loss (six) while playing all 17 games for the Bengals. Now, 2026 will be a contract year for Murphy, and if his progression keeps going well, he could get a bag from other teams if the Bengals let him leave.

This year, he will share the field with newly-arrived Dexter Lawrence and could bring even more opportunities for him as Lawrence commands too much attention from opposing offensive lines.

The Bengals defense need good play from Murphy

Even if he is not staying after this year, Murphy will have to play greatly as he seeks a contract elsewhere. That goes well for the Bengals, who are praying on this defense to finally step up to the plate.

The Bengals were the 31st-ranked total defense in the NFL last season. That caused them to miss the playoffs for the third-year straight. That’s why the Bengals have spent so much on defense this offseason.

According to Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated, Brian Parker might play an immediate role for the Bengals. “The Cincinnati Bengals have needed improvements across the interior of their offensive line for years. [Parker] plays the center position with impressive technique and solid grip strength. Parker should make a successful transition from offensive tackle to interior blocker,” Melo said.

The Bengals will return all five starters from last season. This is the first time Joe Burrow will have a known O-line from the get-go. Still, Parker could slide right in as a center or guard. It’s likely that he plays a depth role at the beginning, but with hopes of getting starting reps along the season.

The Bengals O-line is looking good

Sophomore guard Dylan Fairchild was great during his rookie season. Dalton Risner was solid at right guard, and veteran Ted Karras is a rock-solid center. However, Karras might leave next year, so Parker being a good center already could definitely help his stock.

The Bengals must transform one of their most glaring weaknesses into one of their biggest strengths, and it all looks like they are doing it. At least on paper, the O-line should be much improved in the 2026 NFL season.

The Bengals have addressed the other huge weakness on the roster

More than the O-line, the real problem with the Bengals was the defense. They acquired elite DT Dexter Lawrence, also DE Cashius Howell, and DT Jonathan Allen. In terms of free agency, they signed safety Bryan Cook, DE Boye Mafe, safety Kyle Dugger, and cornerback Jalen Taylor.

Al Golden is a highly respected defensive coordinator thanks to his technical knowledge and player development, though his 2025 debut campaign in the NFL was rough. He has been given the benefit of the doubt this season, but things must improve massively with all these new talent.

Burrow appeared in a press conference on Wednesday, and he was asked if he’s targeting any individual accolades. It seems like the quarterback already had that question in mind as he was quick to reply. “I’m pretty close to the Bengals franchise touchdown record. I’m like 50 or something away, so that would be nice to break this year,” Burrow said.

And Burrow is actually closer, he is not 50 TD passes away, he is 47 away to tie Andy Dalton’s record with the Bengals. However, tying it this year is a tough feat. For instance, his personal record is 43 touchdown passes in a single season. He would have to break his own record, but he is not afraid of challenges.

Burrow wants all the glory with the Cincinnati Bengals

While it might seem selfish to focus on individual accolades, the fact is that if Burrow throws for 47+ touchdowns in a year, the Bengals will clearly benefit. Also, that was an isolated question, Burrow also said the Bengals have “everything (they) need” to contend for a Super Bowl once again.

Burrow has had a Super Bowl experience before, as they lost in 2021 to the Los Angeles Rams. However, he is more confident in the roster the team has now. In fact, Burrow said this is the best roster the Bengals have had since he is in the NFL. Major words from a major player with major expectations.

The Bengals have a big opportunity to make a splash

Not only is the roster looking pretty solid, with a high-octane offense and a revamped defense, but the AFC North is there for the taking. The Baltimore Ravens are entering a new era with rookie head coach Jesse Minter and new offensive coordinator as well.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new chapter with Mike McCarthy as HC, on Aaron Rodgers’ farewell season. Finally, the Browns are also getting a new HC in rookie Todd Monken, and don’t even have established a QB1, not to mention they lost defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The Bengals should run away with the division.