The Cincinnati Bengals entered training camp with three major positional concerns heading into the 2026 NFL season: linebacker, cornerback and offensive line. Now, on August 18, it's time to reevaluate where those position groups stand after weeks of training camp and the first preseason game.

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The linebacker position was arguably the Bengals' biggest concern coming into camp. Can second-year players Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight take the major leap Cincinnati needs? Early training camp reports have been encouraging, particularly when it comes to their confidence, communication and understanding of Al Golden's defensive system. The emergence of Seesay Boseman could also provide the Bengals with valuable depth.

Cornerback is another position that appears to be trending in the right direction. DJ Turner and Dax Hill remain important pieces, but DJ Ivey has arguably been one of the biggest surprises of Bengals training camp. His performance against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in practice has provided Cincinnati with much-needed confidence in its cornerback depth.

Unfortunately, the offensive line may be moving in the opposite direction. Cincinnati brought back all five starters and re-signed Dalton Risner, but the depth was always a concern. With Amarius Mims dealing with an injury and Orlando Brown Jr. struggling at times during training camp, questions are beginning to surface about whether the Bengals have enough depth to protect Joe Burrow.

We'll break down all three position groups, what's changed since the start of camp, and which concerns Bengals fans should still have heading into the 2026 season.

Topics covered: Cincinnati Bengals, Bengals 2026, Bengals training camp, Joe Burrow, Orlando Brown Jr., Amarius Mims, Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight, Al Golden, DJ Ivey, DJ Turner, Bengals offensive line, Bengals linebacker, Bengals cornerback, NFL 2026.

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Cincinnati Bengals training camp Day 12 is in the books, and there is plenty to discuss as the Bengals turn their attention toward the Chicago Bears and preseason Week 2. With a joint practice against Chicago coming later this week, will Joe Burrow and the Bengals starters see the field Saturday night?

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In this episode, we break down the latest Bengals training camp news, including the return of veteran defensive tackle B.J. Hill after he passed his physical. Hill's return gives Cincinnati even more depth alongside Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen and the rest of a defensive line that looks dramatically different from last season.

We also discuss Bengals quarterback Ceyair Wright stepping away from the team to pursue a lead role in a movie, plus Cincinnati signing former University of Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Matthew McDoom.

On the field, Joe Burrow continues to show why his cadence could become another weapon for the Bengals offense. Burrow drew the defense offsides twice during 11-on-11 work, showcasing the veteran quarterback's ability to manipulate opposing defenses before the snap.

Other Bengals training camp takeaways include Tanner Hudson seeing more opportunities in the passing game and rookie wide receiver Colbie Young continuing to make big plays. Young has consistently flashed his size, athleticism and ability to make contested catches, making him one of the most intriguing rookies on Cincinnati's roster.

Finally, we take a closer look at Dexter Lawrence, his impact on the Bengals defensive line and why Cincinnati's revamped defensive front could be one of the biggest differences between the 2025 and 2026 teams.

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The Cincinnati Bengals have played their first preseason game, which means it’s time for our first 53-man roster projection of the 2026 season. After Thursday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions, there are several roster battles starting to take shape — and a few surprises along the way.

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We’ll go position by position, including Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco at quarterback, Chase Brown, Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks at running back, and a wide receiver room that suddenly has more competition than expected.

At wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Yoshi are locks, while Colbie Young, Mitch Tinsley, Charlie Jones, Ke'Shawn Williams and Dohnte Meyers are fighting for the remaining spots. After an impressive preseason debut, Meyers is making a serious push for the 53-man roster.

At tight end, Jack Endries may have played his way onto the team after scoring a touchdown and breaking three tackles on an impressive catch-and-run against Detroit. We’ll also discuss Tanner Hudson, Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample and Erick All.

The offensive line is another major storyline. Orlando Brown Jr., Amarius Mims, Ted Karras, Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner headline the group, but Cincinnati’s depth at tackle remains a concern. Could the Bengals need to add a veteran before Week 1?

On the defensive line, Kris Jenkins Jr. and seventh-round rookie Landon Robinson made strong cases to stick around, while Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy anchor the group.

We’ll also break down the linebacker, cornerback and safety competitions, including PJ Jules, Daijahn Anthony, Russ Yeast, Swayze Bozeman, Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight and DJ Ivey.

Who makes the Bengals’ final 53?

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The Cincinnati Bengals opened the preseason with a 16-14 win over the Detroit Lions, but the final score is hardly the biggest story. In this video, we break down the biggest Bengals winners and losers from Thursday night, with a major focus on the rookie class, roster battles and what we learned about Cincinnati heading into preseason Week 2.

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Kris Jenkins Jr. made a major statement with five tackles and a sack, putting himself in a much better position in the Bengals’ defensive tackle competition. Rookie Landon Robinson also impressed, showing the strength, power and relentless style that could earn him a spot on the 53-man roster.

Jack Endries scored his first NFL touchdown and followed it up with an impressive catch-and-run, while Colbie Young, Brian Parker II and Ke'Shawn Williams all showed flashes. Dohnte Meyers was another standout, leading the Bengals in receiving while continuing his remarkable journey toward an NFL roster spot.

We also discuss DJ Ivey and DJ Turner, plus some concerns on the other side of the ball.

And then there are the losers. Orlando Brown Jr. struggled on a rep that resulted in Joe Burrow taking a big hit, while Cincinnati’s safety depth and offensive tackle depth remain concerns. Tahj Brooks had two drops, and Andrew Coker struggled in the swing tackle competition.

We also discuss Joe Burrow playing two series, the Bengals starters getting preseason reps, the rookie class making an impression, and what these performances could mean for Cincinnati’s final 53-man roster projection.

Who were your biggest Bengals winners and losers against Detroit?

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Craig Sandlin and Stone Shields break down the Cincinnati Bengals preseason victory over the Detroit Lions. They dissect the performance of the projecting Week 1 starters, some shining stars from the rookie class, and some less shining stars from the game.

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The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 rookie draft class is starting to show what it can bring to the team, and after 10 training camp practices, there are plenty of reasons to be intrigued. On today’s Stone Shields Show, we go player by player through the Bengals rookie class and break down the biggest takeaways from training camp.

We start with second-round pick Cashus Howell, the Bengals’ first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 41 overall. Howell has already flashed significant pass-rush upside and versatility in Al Golden’s defense, including an impressive bull rush against Orlando Brown Jr. We discuss his immediate role, his SEC production, and why the Bengals may have found a steal in the second round.

Then we dive into third-round cornerback Takario Davis and why his performance through camp has been more encouraging than expected. With his size, length and physical traits, Davis could play a meaningful role for Cincinnati this season, especially as the Bengals navigate their cornerback depth.

We also discuss fourth-round picks Connor Lew and Colbie Young. Lew is viewed as a potential future replacement for Ted Karras, while Young has quickly turned heads in the Bengals’ wide receiver room and could eventually challenge Andre Iosivas for playing time.

The conversation continues with sixth-round pick Brian Parker II and seventh-round selections Jack Endries and Landon Robinson. We break down their roster battles, preseason opportunities, positional transitions, strengths, weaknesses and what each player needs to show to stick on the Bengals’ 53-man roster.

Plus, we discuss which Bengals rookies are already trending up, which players face the biggest roster battles and whether Cincinnati found multiple steals in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals are finally back in action as preseason football arrives, with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and new defensive star Dexter Lawrence expected to see the field against the Detroit Lions. In this episode of Chatterbox Bengals, Stone Shields and Reid Maus break down what to expect from the Bengals’ preseason opener and how much playing time the team’s stars could receive.

The biggest question is how long Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ first-team offense will play. Stone and Reid discuss the possibility of Burrow, Chase and Higgins seeing roughly 8-10 offensive snaps, with a second series potentially coming if the opening drive ends in a quick three-and-out. The goal is simple: get the starters some live-game reps, build chemistry and get out healthy.

The conversation also focuses heavily on Cincinnati’s defensive line. With Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen joining the Bengals, there are important roster battles developing behind them. Kris Jenkins, McKinnley Jackson and rookie Landon Robinson are competing for opportunities, and the preseason could provide an important look at who deserves a roster spot.

At wide receiver, the Bengals’ WR3 competition is another major storyline. Andrei Iosivas enters the preseason with experience and familiarity with Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor’s offense, while rookie Colbie Young has generated excitement with his contested catches during training camp. Stone and Reid discuss what Young must do to earn playing time, including blocking, learning the offense and consistently catching the football.

The Bengals’ returner competition is also discussed, with Charlie Jones, Ke'Shawn Williams and Dohnte Meyers battling for opportunities.

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The Cincinnati Bengals are turning up the intensity at training camp, and Sunday’s practice provided plenty of storylines heading into the 2026 NFL season. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense found the end zone twice during six 11-on-11, good-on-good drives, while the defense continued to show why expectations are rising in Cincinnati.

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In this podcast, we break down the biggest Bengals training camp takeaways from the weekend, including Joe Burrow’s impressive physical condition, his post-practice sprints and why he could be more mobile than ever in 2026. We also discuss the continued connection between Burrow and Tee Higgins, including a beautiful back-shoulder touchdown that showcased one of the Bengals’ most dangerous offensive combinations.

Dexter Lawrence continues to make a massive impact on Cincinnati’s defense. His ability to command multiple blockers is creating opportunities for the rest of the Bengals defensive line, while his leadership is already changing the identity of the unit. Could the defensive line actually become a strength for Cincinnati this season?

We also discuss Andrei Iosivas and his battle with rookie wide receiver Colbie Young for the No. 3 receiver role. Iosivas has shown confidence and made plays throughout camp, while Young continues to push for an opportunity. That competition could be one of the most interesting position battles to watch during the preseason.

Plus, we have the latest on Bryan Cook and Dax Hill after both missed practice with soft-tissue issues, and why Cook’s health is especially important to the Bengals’ revamped safety room. DJ Ivey continues to make a strong impression with the first-team defense as well.

Finally, we look at Tanner Hudson’s chances of making the Bengals roster and why his relationship with the quarterback room could once again keep him in Cincinnati.

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The Cincinnati Bengals have several key players entering the final year of their contracts, including DJ Turner, Dax Hill and Chase Brown. While DJ Turner may be viewed by many as the top extension priority, there is a strong argument that Chase Brown deserves a new contract from Cincinnati — especially after the way his game has continued to develop.

Chase Brown has become far more than a traditional running back for the Bengals. Since taking over the backfield, Brown has established himself as one of Cincinnati’s most explosive and versatile offensive weapons. His value goes beyond running the football, as he has continued to expand his role in the passing game, including lining up in the slot, running routes and becoming another way for Joe Burrow to get the ball into the hands of a playmaker.

The NFL running back market is also changing. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs recently signed record-setting extensions, yet their annual salaries remain significantly below some of the top wide receiver contracts. That raises an important question for Cincinnati: could Chase Brown represent one of the better values on the Bengals’ roster if they can get him extended before his price climbs even higher?

Brown has been productive, versatile and remarkably available despite playing one of the NFL’s most physically demanding positions. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow already commanding significant money, the Bengals obviously cannot pay everyone. But if Chase Brown is willing to sign in the $13-$15 million-per-year range, there is a compelling argument that Cincinnati should seriously consider making the investment.

We break down Chase Brown’s value, DJ Turner’s contract situation, Dax Hill, the NFL running back market, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, and why Cincinnati could regret waiting too long to extend Brown.

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