The Bengals open training camp July 29, with a roster cutdown looming just weeks later. The team's first preseason contest is Aug. 13, and the regular season opener is Sept. 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With a 2026 campaign that promises to reestablish the team as a playoff and AFC North contender, the Bengals are under pressure to get it right. The team has missed the postseason for three years and had a dismal 6-11 record last year.
Joe Burrow, the team's star quarterback, is expected to lead the team to victory. However, his absence due to injury could be a major setback. To mitigate this risk, the Bengals have retained Joe Flacco as a backup quarterback.
The Bengals' draft class has been praised, with notable free-agents brought in to bolster the defensive side of the ball. The team also kept its entire starting offensive line together, which some believe is the best line of the Joe Burrow era.
The Bengals' 53-man roster is still up in the air, but here's a projected list of players before training camp starts. The team has two quarterbacks: Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco. The running backs include Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, and Tahj Brooks.
The wide receivers are a talented bunch, with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young, Mitchell Tinsley, and Charlie Jones. The tight ends include Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Erick All Jr., and Tanner Hudson.
The Bengals' defensive line is a strong unit, with Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, T.J. Slaton Jr., Shemar Stewart, Cashius Howell, Kris Jenkins Jr., Cedric Johnson, and Landon Robinson.
The linebackers include Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., Oren Burks, Shaka Heyward, and Joe Giles-Harris. The cornerbacks are DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, Jalen Davis, Tacario Davis, Josh Newton, and Bralyn Lux.
The safeties are Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, Kyle Dugger, and PJ Jules. The specialists include K Evan McPherson, P Ryan Rehkow, and LS William Wagner.
The Bengals' chances of a successful season depend on the team's ability to stay healthy and make the right roster cuts. With training camp just around the corner, the team will need to make some tough decisions to ensure a winning season.
On July 29, the Bengals will begin training camp, and the process of culling the roster down to 53 players and a practice squad will begin immediately. The regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is just a few weeks away, and the team will need to be in top shape to compete.
Source: Yahoo Sports