Joe Burrow, Bengals' Stars to Play 'Several Series' vs. Eagles, HC Zac Taylor Says

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that his starters will see extended action in the team's first two preseason games.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Taylor told reporters that quarterback Joe Burrow and other star players will play "several series" in their preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, and "more" in their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Aug. 18.

Rapoport added that the Bengals' change in philosophy in terms of how they deploy their players during the preseason is being done with an eye toward getting off to a fast start during the 2025 regular season.

Since reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship Game in 2022, the Bengals have now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years.

In 2023, when they finished 9-8, Cincinnati started 0-2 and 1-3, and it was never able to fully recover.

Last season was almost a carbon copy, as the Bengals started 0-3 and 1-4 en route to another 9-8 mark.

Even in 2022 when the Bengals went 12-4, posting their best record since 2015, they began the campaign with two consecutive losses.

Injuries may have played a big role in impacting Burrow's readiness for the past two seasons, as he strained his calf during training camp in 2023, which prevented him from playing in any preseason games.

Then, Burrow was perhaps at less than 100 percent entering camp last year after wrist surgery cut his 2023 season short. As a result, he appeared in only one preseason game prior to the 2024 regular season.

Taylor's comments suggest that Burrow is in line for some of the most extensive preseason action of his NFL career, which could bode well for the team's offensive rhythm entering the regular season.

Burrow enjoyed a career year last season, throwing for 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but the Bengals scored just 10 points in a shocking Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots.

Part of the slow start last season can possibly be attributed to the fact that superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was a hold-in throughout training camp and the preseason.

That shouldn't be an issue on the offensive side of the ball this season, though, as Burrow, Chase, wide receiver Tee Higgins, running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki are all under contract and seemingly satisfied.

The same can't be said on defense, though, as superstar pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson is a hold-in amid his search for a new contract.

Hendrickson has yet to practice and almost certainly won't play in any preseason games until and unless he gets a new deal.

Fresh off a 2024 season that saw him record a career-high 17.5 sacks, earn his first All-Pro First Team selection and finish second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting, Hendrickson wants the extension he has earned.

Even with Hendrickson, the Bengals finished 25th in total defense and scoring defense last season, and the weakness of the team could get even worse without him in 2025 if something can't get worked out.