Cincy Jungle
Camp is just one day away.
Summer’s almost over. At least it is as far as the Cincinnati Bengals are concerned. Training camp officially begins on Wednesday, and will hopefully be the first step forward on a Super Bowl season.
Things have been pretty shaky so far this offseason. Neither Trey Hendrickson nor Shemar Stewart has been involved in OTAs due to separate contract disputes (at least at the time of writing this). I personally get the sense both will be signed before long, but that doesn’t necessarily mean by Wednesday, or even by the end of the week.
It’s not how you start, though; it’s how you finish.
But for the Bengals, a fast start would be nice for a change. Every day that goes by without arguably the most important guy on the entire defense (Hendrickson) and this year’s first-round pick on the field is another day my confidence in this team is shaken.
Speaking of confidence, for the last Tuesday Trenches before camp begins, I’ll share my level of confidence for each position group. Ready? Let’s go!
Come on.
Joe Burrow is either the best or second-best quarterback in the NFL. I’ve seen Patrick Mahomes do things physically that generations of quarterback coaches have begged their best and brightest not to do, and he’s won three Super Bowls.
However, I don’t think he played at the same level in 2024 as he did in years prior. If Burrow continues, or somehow improves upon, what he did during the 2024 season, it’ll be hard to say he’s not the best.
Confidence rating: 5/5
The Bengals are looking to hand Chase Brown their lead back role, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to get all the carries. I figure they brought back Samaje Perine for a reason, and I like everything I’m hearing about rookie Tahj Brooks. I don’t know how Zack Moss fits in, if he does at all, but that’s what camp is for.
Confidence rating: 3/5
Outside of quarterback, I have the most confidence in the Bengals’ wide receivers. Ja’Marr Chase is the best wide receiver in the league, and Tee Higgins would be the No. 1 receiver on every other team with maybe the exception of the Vikings because of Justin Jefferson. There is a who’s who of talent behind the two of them that could rise to WR3, but when Chase and Higgins are both on the field with Burrow, defenses are only capable of doing so much.
Confidence rating: 5/5
I like Mike Gesicki a lot, and I’m really happy he and the Bengals were able to come to a long-term agreement. However, I think he’s most likely to be the team’s WR3 when the season opens than anyone else. He’s a great receiving tight end, but I don’t trust him to open up holes for the running game.
For that, they have Drew Sample, and then they have Tanner Hudson, who...
