The Bengals gear up for their second game of the preseason on Saturday night when they host the Chicago Bears at Paycor Stadium. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the Bengals Preseason TV Network (Cincinnati’s channel 19).
Here is what to watch for:
Second Audition
With the Bengals hosting the Bears for a joint practice at the Kettering Health Practice Fields on Thursday, head coach Zac Taylor indicated that the team's starters will rest on Saturday night. That paves the way for many of the depth pieces, particularly the first and second-year players, to see extended playing time.
Several Bengals are looking to build off a promising first showing last week in the 16-14 win over Detroit. Namely, wide receiver Dohnte Meyers, who spent the past two seasons in the Canadian Football League before signing with the Bengals in January, contributed a team-high 42 yards from scrimmage (29 receiving, 13 rushing). Tight end Jack Endries, one of Cincinnati's seventh-round draft picks this past April, scored the lone touchdown of the night for the Bengals and added a 17-yard catch.
On the defensive side of the ball, second-round pick Cashius Howell figures to get substantial action following a debut performance highlighted by a fumble recovery that set up the Endries touchdown. Seventh-rounder Landon Robinson, a nose tackle out of Navy, was credited with a half-sack and two quarterback hits against the Lions.
"I thought they all showed well," said Taylor when asked about the draft class's performance in the first preseason contest. "I thought those guys have improved over the course of camp. You can throw Brian Parker II in there too, he got a lot of run. BoBo (Tacario Davis) and Connor (Lew) were the two that didn't get to play, but I was pleased with what they showed us. I'm sure there's a lot of excitement as they go out there for the first snaps, and there's some things that they can get better at, but I'm certainly please with the direction all those guys are headed in right now."
Specialist Encore
Evan McPherson once again showcased his long-distance range in last week's preseason opener, drilling a 56-yarder as part of a three-for-three field goal kicking performance. McPherson now has 12 field goals of 50+ yards in his preseason career, the most by any NFL kicker since he entered the league in 2021.
The stability on special teams extends beyond McPherson, as third-year punter Ryan Rehkow and second-year long snapper William Wagner also had impressive outings in the win over the Lions. Rehkow punted five times for 246 yards, a 49.2-yard average, and three of those were downed inside the Detroit 20-yard line. With much of the team's top performers slated to watch from the sideline on Saturday, fans will still get a look at the specialists in action.
Chicago Bears
Battle For Kick Returner Continues
Taylor and assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons indicated prior to the start of training camp that the kickoff and punt returner roles will be open competitions. That held true in the preseason opener, as three players — Meyers, Charlie Jones and Ke’Shawn Williams — each fielded one punt. Williams ran back two kickoffs, highlighted by a 48-yard return just before halftime.
With open spots on the 53-man roster dwindling, particularly in the receiver room, an explosive play in the return game could go a long way in securing the role moving forward.
View some of the top shots from the Bengals' Joint Training Camp Practice with the Chicago Bears at Kettering Health Practice Fields, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
QB Joe Burrow during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DT Dexter Lawrence II intercepts a pass during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DT Dexter Lawrence II intercepts a pass during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DE Myles Murphy during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
WR Ja'Marr Chase during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
CB Jalen Davis during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
CB Jalen Davis celebrates a play during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DT Jonathan Allen, DE Cashius Howell and LB Barrett Carter during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
CBs Josh Newton and Jalen Davis celebrate a play during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
CB Josh Newton during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The Bengals line up for a snap during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
G Dylan Fairchild during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
RB Tahj Brooks catches a pass during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
RB Tahj Brooks celebrates during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
K Evan McPherson kicks as P Ryan Rehkow holds during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
CB DJ Turner II during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
CB DJ Turner II during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
HC Zac Taylor and Bears HC Ben Johnson during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DE Cashius Howell makes a tackle during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
LB Barrett Carter and CB Jalen Davis celebrate a play during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
WR Dohnte Meyers during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
G Dylan Fairchild and OT Orlando Brown Jr. block during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
QB Joe Burrow looks to throw during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The Bengals line up for a snap during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
WR Tee Higgins during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
WR Colbie Young stretches for a catch during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
LB Barrett Carter during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
OT Amarius Mims during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DE Myles Murphy and DT Dexter Lawrence II during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
QB Joe Burrow during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
QB Joe Flacco during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
WR Mitch Tinsley catches a pass during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
DT Dexter Lawrence II during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
S Kyle Dugger during joint training camp practice with the Chicago Bears, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Check out the Bengals 2026 Schedule.
