The NFL preseason is finally underway, following the Los Angeles Chargers’ victory in 2025’s Hall of Fame Game. All 32 teams are in action, with question marks over which teams will be fielding their stars.
The preseason offers a welcome return of pro football action for fans to enjoy, but the league’s top talents are usually limited to minimal reps, if any. The Cincinnati Bengals face off against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday Night, and head coach Zac Taylor has opened up about his team selection.
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Taylor faced the media ahead of the team’s preseason opener in Philadelphia and was immediately grilled for team news. The seven-year head coach first listed his team’s inactives for the game, before discussing the potential involvement of his starters.
The Bengals have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and have failed to record a 2-0 start to any season since Taylor took over. Seemingly eager to correct that worrying trend, Taylor admitted that his starters would be involved against the Eagles, but wouldn’t be drawn on how many reps they would see.
“We’ll see. This won’t be – we don’t have this target as the biggest play time for all our guys. We really pegged Washington (Commanders, preseason Week 2) to be a little more that.”
Taylor suggested that the team’s early in-season road games were a factor in the decision to play starters in the preseason, noting that practice can’t replicate in-game snaps.
He said, “Going on the road like we are week one, we do have a road prime time game early in the season. So, the lights are on; you’re in a road environment; that’s great. Getting everybody off the field, as much as we practice it and do it, it’s not the same feel.”
Taylor added, “So I think just those 11 guys being in the huddle on both sides of the ball, and all the communication that’s got to occur. It’s just a good opportunity for those guys to get some additional reps.”
The coach went on to suggest that most of his starters aim for the first quarter, but didn’t rule out their involvement spilling over into the second. That should give fans plenty to get excited about, especially given how explosive their offense was last season.
One player looking to break into that “starter” conversation this year is Jermaine Burton, who has impressed throughout camp after his rookie season imploded due to attitude problems. Another player of interest, new tight-end signing Noah Fant, won’t be involved, having only joined the team days before the game.
