Bengals football is back, baby!
It’s here! It’s finally here!
The offseason is over. Training camp has officially opened for the 2025 season as the Cincinnati Bengals—well, most of them—took the practice fields outside Paycor Stadium for their first practice of the preseason.
With that comes a whole bunch of speculation, which is what we’re going to do now.
Here’s my first prediction for the team’s 53-man roster.
Quarterback (2)
- Joe Burrow
- Jake Browning
Notes: I’m a UC guy, and I’m just as excited as anyone that Des Ridder is wearing a Bengals jersey right now, but Browning has done it for real when he was needed most. Until someone takes it from him, Browning is Burrow’s backup.
Running Back (4)
- Chase Brown
- Samaje Perine
- Tahj Brooks
- Kendall Milton
Notes: Zack Moss is on the NFI list with the same neck injury that sidelined him last season, and I don’t think the Bengals will go into the regular season with only one running back from the season prior on the final roster. Samaje Perine was in Cincinnati before, but that doesn’t mean he’s up to date on everything the offense does currently, and Tahj Brooks is a rookie. Milton spent last season on the Bengals’ practice squad and is familiar with the system. If Moss improves down the line, this could change.
Wide Receiver (6)
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Charlie Jones
- Jermaine Burton
- Kendric Pryor
Notes: Five of the six spots are taken, and Pryor, who has been on-and-off again with the Bengals’ practice squad since 2022, edges everyone else out.
Tight End (4)
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Tanner Hudson
- Tanner McLachlan
Notes: They have one guy who can catch really well, one guy who can block really well (and makes the fans jump for joy when he scores), and a guy who can do a little bit of both. Erick All Jr. will be missed, but gives McLachlan a shot to crack the rotation.
Offensive Line (9)
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Dylan Fairchild
- Ted Karras
- Lucas Patrick
- Amarius Mims
- Cody Ford
- Cordell Volson
- Matt Lee
- Jaxson Kirkland
Notes: Two things can be true at the same time. The Bengals’ front office didn’t do enough to shore up the offensive line, specifically at guard. Also, some combination of the offensive lineman listed above could give Burrow the best protection he’s had in his young-ish career. Hopefully, the second one becomes more true than the first.
Defensive Line (10)
- Trey Hendrickson
- BJ Hill
- T.J. Slaton Jr.
- Joseph Ossai
- Shemar Stewart
- Myles Murphy
- McKinnley Jackson
- Kris Jenkins Jr.
- Cam Sample
- Cedric Johnson
Notes: There are a lot of assumptions being made, such as Hendrickson and Stewart will sign soon. There’s no one on the field right now that could potentially take either of their places while they’re gone. So, I think they’ll be here until I find out they won’t.
I hope that doesn’t happen.
Linebackers (5)
- Logan Wilson
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Oren Burks
- Barrett Carter
- Maema Njongmeta
Notes: Here’s where the biggest turnover has taken place on the defense. Wilson is back, but Knight likely replaces Germaine Pratt as the starter alongside him. Burks and Carter likely rotate as the team’s third linebacker as well as on special teams, and Njongmeta provides a run-stopping hammer when needed.
Cornerback (6)
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- DJ Turner
- Dax Hill
- Jalen Davis
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
Notes: There isn’t really much turnover here at all. They’ve officially lost Mike Hilton to free agency, and I suspect Hill or Newton steps into the void he left in the slot. Keeping Davis, who’s been the team’s backup slot corner for a while, behind the starter should help the transition. Everyone listed could potentially contribute in some way on defense
Safety (4)
- Geno Stone
- Jordan Battle
- Tycen Anderson
- Daijahn Anthony
Notes: Vonn Bell is gone, and Stone and Battle will likely start this year. Anderson and Anthony are backups and special teams contributors.
Special Teams (3)
- Evan McPherson (K)
- Ryan Rehkow (P)
- Cal Adomitis (LS)
Notes: This is hopefully a bounce-back year for a kicking game that was inconsistent at times in 2024.
What are your thoughts?
Sound off!