The murmurs surrounding Joe Burrow’s potential participation in the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles have intensified, with head coach Zac Taylor subtly hinting at a strategic shift. Typically, preseason contests serve as vital proving grounds for emerging talent and roster hopefuls, allowing backups and rookies to showcase their abilities. However, for a franchise aiming to overcome previous early-season struggles, early game action for a star quarterback like Burrow could be paramount to building crucial rhythm and momentum before the demands of the regular season.
Historically, Burrow’s preseason appearances have been minimal, a pattern the Bengals are keen to alter in 2025 to foster a stronger start. The team’s aspiration to avoid the early-season woes that plagued them in recent years seems to be driving this consideration. Coach Taylor’s recent comments to the media have suggested that the LSU alum might see considerably more preseason snaps than in previous years, signaling a proactive approach to address the team’s recurring slow starts and ensure their cornerstone player is game-ready from Week 1.
Last season offered a stark reminder of the consequences of a disjointed start, as the Bengals stumbled out of the gate with a challenging 1-3 record in September. Burrow, who contended with an injury during parts of training camp, visibly struggled to find his characteristic rhythm early on. This slow beginning had significant ramifications, contributing directly to the team missing the playoffs. His career record in the opening month, a concerning 7-10-1, underscores the critical need for a more consistent and impactful start to the season.
The offensive unit, despite eventually finding its stride later in the season, faced considerable frustration due to its initial inability to gain traction. This early inefficiency highlighted a critical area for improvement. The key question now for the Cincinnati Bengals is how to preemptively mitigate another sluggish start. The answer appears to lie in securing meaningful, competitive snaps before the intensity of the regular season begins, with the upcoming clash against the formidable Philadelphia Eagles presenting an ideal stage.
Cincinnati’s three-game preseason slate commences with a highly anticipated matchup against the reigning Super Bowl champions. While the Eagles are unlikely to deploy their full complement of top-tier starters, their depth provides a robust challenge. This scenario offers Burrow invaluable opportunities to engage with a high-quality defense, crucial for sharpening his decision-making, timing, and overall command of the offense, which are vital components for a quarterback’s early-season performance.
Even seasoned NFL analysts and former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason has publicly endorsed the idea of Burrow playing more in the preseason. Drawing from his extensive experience in an era that featured four preseason games, Esiason advocates for a carefully structured ramp-up. He suggests a progressive increase in playing time: a few series in the initial two games, culminating in a full half during the third preseason contest. This methodical approach, Esiason believes, would allow the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback to meticulously fine-tune his tempo, timing, and chemistry with his offensive weapons well in advance of the high-stakes October matchups.
Esiason lauded Burrow’s apparent willingness to embrace more preseason action, recognizing it as a sagacious decision vital for rectifying the team’s historical pattern of slow starts. He specifically recalled Burrow’s less-than-sharp performance in last year’s season opener against the Patriots, a game the Bengals ultimately lost. Such a beginning, Esiason emphasized, can create pervasive ripple effects, undermining team confidence and momentum throughout the entire campaign. Playing more in August could be the critical differentiator for the Cincinnati Bengals to hit the ground running in September, a necessity for competing in the competitive AFC. An aggressive, free-scoring offense from day one is the only viable path to making a significant postseason push.
