Zac Taylor announces important landmark in Bengals’ path to the 2026 season involving ascending NFL team
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a joint practice during the 2026 preseason. Head coach Zac Taylor revealed the Bengals will practice against the Chicago Bears leading up to their Week 2 preseason game.
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a joint practice during the 2026 preseason.
Head coach Zac Taylor told local media Tuesday afternoon the Bengals will practice against the reigning NFC North champion Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 20. Cincinnati hosts the Bears in its Week 2 preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Significance of an NFL joint practice
The NFL preseason isn’t same as it once was. Since decreasing the games from four to three for the entire league, many clubs have opted to rest starters for the entirety of the month leading up to the regular season. There’s no better way to guarantee the health of the most important players, who already participate in the grueling days of training camp.
Preseason games are also a bit unpredictable. The schemes are rather bland as play-callers don’t want to show their cards in contests that don’t determine who gets into the playoffs. There’s not much teams can learn about their core players.
The three weeks of exhibitions are still important because it gives players opportunities to go up against fresh faces instead of their own teammates. Practicing against different players in joint practices is another way of granting those players work against different competition. Instead of an uncontrollable game with high-intensity play speed, the joint practice gives coaches more governance, and protection of their valuable players.
Bengals may have intrasquad scrimmage vs. Bears
Intrasquad scrimmages in joint practices have become a more common occurrence for the exact same reason as a counter to risking health in actual football games. The environment is more controlled on the practice field. In-game situations can still be simulated.
Taylor had the Bengals scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Bears in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. He was previously an assistant for the Rams under HC Sean McVay, and worked on that staff with Packers HC Matt LaFleur. He was also on the same Miami Dolphins coaching staff as Chicago HC Ben Johnson, whom was hired in 2025.
There’s no guarantee everyone comes out of the practices clean, but it is an alternative to playing starters in the actual preseason game.
Should Cincinnati scrimmage against Chicago, it would likely be the final real tuneup for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and every other highly-valued player on the roster. Their reps on that Thursday could almost entirely replace what they would play on that Saturday.
Many weeks stand between Taylor’s announcement and the Bengals facing the Bears on the practice fields adjacent to Paycor Stadium. When that time comes, it’ll be one of the final checkpoints before the games really begin.