Cincinnati Bengals fans hoping to see quarterback Joe Burrow suit up one more time before the regular season will have to wait until Week 1.
Despite Burrow saying Monday night he’d be happy to play in the preseason finale if asked, head coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Wednesday that neither the franchise quarterback nor the other starters will take the field against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend.
Taylor broke the news during his midweek press conference. “I haven’t talked in depth with the players about this third game,” he explained. “I’ve talked to Joe, I haven’t specifically told these guys they’re not playing. But they’re not playing.”
The decision signals a clear shift in Cincinnati’s preseason approach. While Burrow traditionally received little game action during August, Taylor experimented this year by giving his stars slightly more exposure in earlier matchups.
The aim was to sharpen timing and execution ahead of September, particularly after three straight seasons of slow starts.
Learning from past September struggles
The Bengals’ recent history has been defined by sluggish opening weeks. They began 0-3 in 2024, 1-3 in 2023, and 0-2 in 2022, stumbles that put added pressure on midseason stretches despite eventual playoff pushes.
This summer, Taylor hoped to strike a better balance between risk and readiness. But with the regular season opener just around the corner, the coaching staff sees no reason to expose Burrow and the starters to unnecessary injury risk in an exhibition game.
“I feel good about where our team’s at right now,” Taylor told reporters. “So, again, I’m excited to get through the preseason and go play games because I see what I see in practice. So, I’m just really excited, from top to bottom, about a lot of the players we have.”
Burrow, entering his fifth NFL season, has dealt with nagging injuries in past training camps, most notably a calf strain in 2023 that limited him early.
While he has looked healthy and sharp this summer, the Bengals know their hopes of contending hinge heavily on keeping their quarterback upright.
Looking ahead to Week 1
Cincinnati opens the 2025 season on the road against AFC North rival Cleveland Browns on September 7, a matchup that immediately tests their divisional mettle.
From there, the Bengals face the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in Week 2, followed by road trips to the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos.
While fans may be disappointed not to see Burrow toss another pass until September, the bigger picture is clear: Taylor and his staff are focused on starting the season at full strength.
After years of digging out from early losses, the Bengals hope a healthier, better-prepared roster will finally flip the script in 2025.
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