Will the Bengals New Approach to the Preseason Pay Dividends in an Effort to Start Faster in 2025?

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, preseason games present a perennial dilemma for coaches: whether to risk playing star players or keep them sidelined. This debate has intensified for the Cincinnati Bengals, who have struggled with slow starts in recent seasons.

In 2023, they began 0-2 amid quarterback Joe Burrow’s calf injury, finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs. The pattern repeated in 2024 with a sluggish 1-3 opening, again ending 9-8 and out of postseason contention. To combat this, head coach Zac Taylor opted to play starters like Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in the 2025 preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 7. The duo delivered a scorching performance: Burrow completed 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a 36-yard strike to Chase, showcasing instant chemistry.

The pros of deploying starters in preseason are compelling. It allows players to shake off rust, build timing, and foster team cohesion—crucial for offenses like the Bengals, who are reliant on Burrow and Chase’s chemistry and big-play ability to get off to a scorching start right away. Preseason reps can simulate game speed, helping prevent early-season slumps by ensuring sharpness from Week 1. For the Bengals, this approach directly addresses their history of slow starts, potentially accelerating their championship push. Chase himself has endorsed more preseason action this year as a remedy, per ESPN’s Ben Baby earlier in the offseason.

However, the cons loom large, primarily the risk of injury. Starters like Burrow, with a history of ailments, could suffer setbacks in meaningless games, derailing seasons before they begin. Critics argue proven veterans don’t need exhibition reps, as they can gel during the regular season, and preseason often features uneven matchups against backups. Fortunately, Cincy’s stars left their Preseason Week 1 rampage unscathed.

For Taylor, the Bengals’ repeated early stumbles tipped the scales toward playing starters, prioritizing rhythm over caution. Burrow downplayed his hot outing as “average,” but it signals a strategic shift that could redefine Cincinnati’s season trajectory—if injuries are avoided. If it works, other teams who typically rest their starters may change their tune as well. We’ll be watching