Tonight marks the Cincinnati Bengals’ final preseason game, as they’re set to take on the Eagles in Philly. We already know the starters won’t play, but plenty of young guys and roster-bubble players will be putting their blood, sweat, and tears into this game.
Many of the guys who will play in this game for both sides will have serious job uncertainty by Sunday evening (6 PM ET), when teams officially have to cut down to 53 men. Then comes the flurry of calls for practice squads or possibly spots on other teams’ rosters. The most stressful game of musical chairs, where if you are left without a seat, you likely have to focus on staying in football shape, hoping to get a call, or call it quits on your dream.
People will diminish this game, but truthfully, it will be the last time so many guys in the NFL suit up and get a shot until next offseason, if at all.
Players like wide receiver Dohntae Meyers and defensive tackle Landon Robinson going off and showing they belong on an NFL roster is what this time of year is all about. However, as one story rises, we often see the end of another. Someone like Charlie Jones or Mitchell Tinsley — who was a preseason darling himself last year with some highlights during the regular season— could find themselves on a different roster or sitting on the practice squad.
It is a numbers game at the end of the day. You can only keep so many wide receivers, tight ends or defensive tackles. And players know the harsh truth that this is a business at the end of the day. It is just one of those times to remember that the players who aren’t the Joe Burrows or Ja’Marr Chases of the NFL are closer to their dream being over at the drop of a hat than many of us realize.
Who was the player you were rooting for the most this offseason, or who do you think is going to be the most surprising cut come Sunday?
Bengals NewsWhat to Watch For | Bengals at Eagles Preseason Week 3
Some other young O-lineman have made a strong impression on Taylor and the coaching staff through training camp, including fourth-round draft pick Connor Lew, who spent the early portion of camp recovering from a knee injury but started at center against the Bears. According to Taylor, Lew has made up for the valuable time lost while finishing his rehab.
Another strong vote of confidence in Lew from the head coach. There is no question this guy will likely be the first man up if something happens at guard.
Marvin Lewis says ‘Mike Brown doesn’t give a (expletive) about money’
“His words trigger action,” Lewis said. “No question in my mind, they trigger action, because (Brown) loves quarterbacks and he wants to win in the worst way.”
Well worth a listen to the interview. It feels like Lewis has not really talked in depth about his experience with the Bengals. Him talking about Burrow’s word triggering actions is interesting in particular.
One Bengals Offseason Acquisition Itching to Start 2026 Season
“I’m buzzing with a lot of excitement right now,” Cook said when talking about taking the field for the first time as a member of his hometown team this season.
Safe to say most Bengals fans are also buzzing with excitement. Hopefully replacing Geno Stone with Cook offers a better result on the back end of the defense.
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Somewhere down the line Dexter Lawrence is going to need paid. Whether the team is willing to go that high for someone entering their 30’s will remain to be seen, but this is a bit of a look into the future as the defensive tackle market isn’t rising as rapidly as some other positions.
2026 NFL fantasy football draft tips: 18 must-know Do’s and Don’ts
Some quick advice going into your fantasy drafts. My advice, start an auction league. It is way more fun and takes more skill than simply drafting players typically. There is nothing wrong with regular drafts, but give auction a try.
Packers star RB Josh Jacobs charged with two misdemeanors
Ignoring the obvious terrible human being implications of this to focus on the football side of things to keep things short… Jacobs is probably hoping whatever video doesn’t come out. We have seen that it has (unfortunately) taken videos coming out for the public to show a real outcry about this kind of stuff.
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