Cincinnati Bengals training camp preview: Stars return on offense, but can new coordinator develop defense?

CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-8)

OPEN CAMP: July 23, Kettering Health Practice Fields, Cincinnati, Ohio

LAST YEAR: The Bengals finished 9-8, missing the playoffs for the second straight season after reaching the AFC championship game in 2022 and Super Bowl LVI in 2021. Despite having the NFL’s sixth-ranked offense and winning the final five games of the regular season, the Bengals could not overcome a 4-8 start and the 25th-ranked defense in the NFL. Telling statistic from 2024: The Bengals rushed for 1,574 yards (92.59 yards per game). The only two teams with worse rushing statistics in the league were the 4-13 Raiders and 5-12 Jets.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Shemar Stewart, LB Demetrius Knight Jr., G Dylan Fairchild, defensive coordinator Al Golden

IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Germaine Pratt, DE Sam Hubbard, CB Mike Hilton, S Vonn Bell, DT Sheldon Rankins, HB Khalil Herbert, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo

CAMP NEEDS: The Bengals are working to extend DE Trey Hendrickson. In May, Hendrickson said he would not play this season under his current one-year, $15.8 million contract. The Bengals already have lost five defensive starters to free agency and cannot handle the 2024 NFL sack leader (171/2) and first-team All-Pro refusing to play. Also, the offensive line must come together to perform above expectations this year. Ahead of training camp, Pro Football Focus ranked Cincinnati’s unit 31st in the league.

EXPECTATIONS: The Bengals hope big contracts for QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins will pay off and allow the team to return to the playoffs. They combine for a $124 million cap hit, nearly half of the $279.2 million NFL salary cap for 2025. New defensive coordinator Al Golden wants the defense to develop the quality necessary to compete for a conference championship, but he does not plan to drastically change the defensive scheme that was in place under Lou Anarumo. Head coach Zac Taylor believes his poor game management contributed to some of the six one-possession losses the Bengals had last season. If the Bengals can start the regular season strong and clean up their mistakes, Taylor thinks Cincinnati can be a factor in January.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE: at Eagles, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7; at Commanders, 8 p.m. Aug. 18; vs. Colts, 1 p.m. Aug. 23.