The Cincinnati Bengals need a monumental change this year. After missing the playoffs two straight years despite having one of the best quarterbacks in the sport, questions are reaching a fever pitch about the viability of the franchise as a legitimate contender. A change at defensive coordinator was a big move on that front, but the Bengals are instilling a more fundamental change in their philosophy and culture.
After shying away from giving his starters extended playing time in the preseason, head coach Zac Taylor took a different path this year. In Week 1 of the preseason against the Philadelphia Eagles, most of his starters got ample playing time. Now, heading into a clash against the Washington Commanders, will Taylor continue his swing in the other direction or revert to his past behavior?
Will Joe Burrow and Key Bengals Starters Play Against the Commanders?
Thanks to the egregiously slow starts under Taylor (1-11 in the first two weeks over the past six seasons), the growing consensus was to change the preseason plan.
That came in the form of Joe Burrow and most of the other starters suiting up against Philadelphia. It proved to be a wildly productive evening for Burrow and Co. He threw for 123 yards and two touchdowns while connecting on all but one of his 10 pass attempts.
For a team trying to secure a playoff berth, that was the perfect kind of night the organization needed. Hoping to capitalize on that success, Taylor wants to push his luck one more time.
While starters DJ Turner II, Geno Stone, and Myles Murphy will remain out for the game, the majority are expected to play the first few series against Washington.
For the fan base, the biggest story is the rookie earning starting reps with the first team. Selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shemar Stewart has been embroiled in a public contract dispute with the Bengals.
But as things appear closer to a conclusion, he is set to take the field as a first-team member, with Taylor’s awe at his production already apparent. As reported by Sports Illustrated, the rookie has made a strong first impression on his head coach.
“To say I’m surprised, it’s hard to measure how quickly he’s going to get acclimated,” Taylor said, before adding, “The power. The disruptiveness. You can see the impact that he has.”
For a fan base desperate to see its fortunes change, the preseason has offered a glimpse of what Cincy could look like at peak capacity. But it will be how those efforts translate to the regular season that ultimately decides the efficacy of the change this year.
