The Cincinnati Bengals played their first preseason game last Thursday, and we got our first look at the 2025 team, including the starters. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and the first-team offense scored twice on two drives and looked like they hadn’t skipped a beat. The defense and second-team offense? That was a different story.

CINCINNATI — Bengals head coach Zac Taylor made it clear that Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the rest of the healthy starters will play in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Eagles. The Bengals want to get off to a faster start this season—and they believe more preseason reps for their stars are going to help them get there.