The Cincinnati Bengals coaches and players have been hard at work and are wrapping up OTAs before mandatory minicamp kicks off next week. The drama still surrounds Shemar Stewart, who remains unsigned, and Trey Hendrickson is also absent due to his contract dispute with the team. The remaining five 2025 draft picks have been grinding, and the offense has had its usual steady moments. All eyes, though, were on a rebuilt defense under Al Golden, and the results seem positive as his group has shown multiple looks in different formations. This bodes well for this side of the ball, which is playing faster and more freely. Let’s review the action thus far for the orange and black.
Cincinnati Bengals Beat: News and Notes from OTAs
Cam Can Bounce-Back
The struggles of Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt were well-documented as his confidence was shaken after the most tumultuous season of his career. He is looking to redeem himself from his lackluster 2024, and he’s off to a great start in OTAs. Taylor-Britt is a very aggressive corner and also plays with a ton of emotion that can affect performance both ways. On Wednesday, he made a great play breaking early on an interception of Burrow, who knew the outcome as soon as it left his hand.
Cam Taylor-Britt picking off Joe Burrow
: @Bengals pic.twitter.com/DsjabAGPX8
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) June 3, 2025
If the fourth-year veteran can return to form from early in his career, he should boost a Bengals defense that badly needs him to perform well.
Yoshi’s World
One of the more intriguing players for the Bengals this season is third-year man Andrei Iosivas, who has been very impressive early on. Fresh off a solid sophomore campaign, which saw him amass 36 catches for 479 yards and six TDs, he is currently looking for much more. Iosivas is noted to be bigger and faster, and he put in some serious work in the offseason. Look for Yoshi to take a massive jump in his performance and statistical output this season.
Zac Attack
The most notable difference this offseason from early practices is the ramped-up physicality and competitiveness that are evident. Head coach Zac Taylor has seemingly revamped his routine, which was known to be lighter and easier on the players. However, the slow starts that have doomed his team the last several years can’t continue, and Taylor is looking to change that. This trend should continue through training camp and the preseason as the starters need to be sharp for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. If the Bengals start fast in 2025, that may propel them to a familiar place at the top of the AFC North. Joe Burrow and his mighty men will certainly want more.
Main Photo: Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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