The Cincinnati Bengals don’t want another slow start — and Zac Taylor is making sure of it. That said, he feels the team is on a good enough pace heading into the final preseason matchup.
After a 0-3 preseason and a 9-8 finish that left Cincinnati out of the playoffs last year, the head coach has made “fast start” the subject matter of 2025.
That means Joe Burrow and the starters have been on the field more often than fans are used to seeing in August.
But after a scare in a preseason Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders, Taylor “doesn’t plan to play his starters” against the Indianapolis Colts this Saturday.
Burrow’s Risk Puts Preseason Strategy Under the Microscope
Bengals fans held their breath Monday night when Burrow took a horse-collar tackle from Commanders defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. early in the first quarter. It was one of those hits where everyone froze for a second, knowing the Bengals’ entire season rests on Burrow’s health.
He stayed in long enough to complete 9-of-14 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown to Charlie Jones in a 31-17 win, but the play raised the question that always lingers in August: how much is too much when it comes to preseason reps?
Burrow has downplayed the concern since Week 1, calling his reps ‘valuable’ despite everyone’s fears.
That’s Burrow in a nutshell. Grounded, competitive, and obsessed with finding ways to sharpen his game — even if it means taking hits in a game that doesn’t count.
Taylor backed him up last week. He explained that part of the reason Burrow played into the second quarter was to get extra work with backups and role players. If the Bengals are going to survive another grueling AFC North schedule, they’ll need contributions from more than just their stars — and silence the “top-heavy” narrative.
Still, there’s a fine line between preparation and recklessness. With Burrow already knocked around this month, Taylor confirmed the starters won’t suit up in the preseason finale against the Colts on August 23. For Bengals fans and the football community alike, that decision probably comes as a relief.
What It Means Heading Into 2025-26 Season
So where does this leave the Bengals heading into their last tune-up? Simply put, the heavy lifting is done. Burrow and the starters put together a few quality drives, and now it’s about protecting them until September 7 when they travel to open the season against Cleveland Browns.
That doesn’t mean Week 3 is meaningless. It’s a big stage for rookies and fringe roster guys to prove themselves before the 53-man rosters are finalized. The wide receiver room behind Chase, Higgins, and Iosivas, is wide open. Running back carries are up for grabs behind Chase Brown. And the offensive line depth is still very much a storyline.
The Bengals can use Saturday to solidify those decisions while letting their stars stay healthy on the sideline. For Taylor, that balance — preparation without unnecessary risk — will define how fans look back at this preseason.
Because make no mistake: everything this team does revolves around No. 9. If Burrow is standing in December, Cincinnati is dangerous. If not, none of the “fast start” talk has merit.
And that’s exactly why Taylor’s decision in Week 3 may be his most important call of the summer.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bengals HC Makes Major Decision Ahead of Preseason Week 3 vs. Colts appeared first on Heavy Sports.