Training camp is almost two full weeks in and the preseason starts Thursday night for the Cincinnati Bengals. Once again, this has been an offseason of turmoil for the Bengals. Contract disputes have been the name of the game for the Bengals for many years and this year is no different. Last season, it was Ja’Marr Chase versus the Bengals and this year it is Trey Hendrickson and first round draft pick Shemar Stewart versus the Bengals. With Stewart now signed, the focus will now be on the uncertainty of whether we see Hendrickson in the 2025 season. Whether he’s there or not, there are plenty of other guys looking to make an impact for the Bengals this season. The Bengals offense is loaded and one that will compete to be one of the top units in the league.

Here is the roster projection from Chris Asbrock with ISC.

QUARTERBACK (2)

Starter: Joe Burrow

Backup: Jake Browning, Desmond Ridder (Practice squad)

This is an obvious one, Joe Burrow is on the best quarterbacks in the NFL, so he will not be challenged at all for the starting spot. Jake Browning stepped up a few years ago as one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league and will be relied upon, God forbid something were to happen to Burrow. At the quarterback position, the Bengals are in good shape.

RUNNING BACK (3)

Starter: Chase Brown

Backups: Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks

Bubble:

The running back room is interesting as this could be a 3 or 4 man crew. Chase Brown is the hands down guy but the addition of Samaje Perine adds a level of familiarity and comfort for Burrow. Perine is a fantastic third down back who can block as well. Add the fact that Burrow has a high level of trust in the veteran back. Rookie Tahj Brooks is a wild card and could be a major sleeper for this offense. As it stands, Brooks is third on the depth chart but one to watch as training camp progresses. Zack Moss is the biggest wild card for this team. Moss, who is injured (neck), was recently released by the team. The Bengals did Moss a solid by guaranteeing him more money, while restructuring his contract.

WIDE RECEIVER (6)

Starters: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas

Backups: Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones, Isiah Williams

Bubble: Cole Burgess, Jordan Moore, Mitchell Tinsley

The Bengals have the best wide receiver duo in the league. Ja’Marr Chase is the best receiver in football and Tee Higgins is the best number two in the league. When healthy, these two are a nightmare for opposing defenses. Andrei Iosivas has emerged as the number three receiver but the fourth option behind TE Mike Gesicki. However, Iosivas has continued to improve each and every season. If Iosivas can take a big step forward again, this will be another weapon for Burrow at his disposal. There is a significant dropoff after the first four, including Gesicki. With that being said, the backups are looking like Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones and Isiah Williams. Burton is a player with all the talent in the world but spent his rookie season with his head not screwed on straight. A total waste of talent but word out of town, is that Burton has been putting forth the effort and that would be a fantastic scenario.

TIGHT END (4)

Starters: Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample

Backups: Noah Fant, Tanner Hudson

Bubble: Cam Grandy, Tanner McLachlan

The tight end room is an interesting one as well. Mike Gesicki is listed as a tight end but will more often be used as the third wide receiver. Gesicki brings the pass catching aspect to the tight end room but the signing of Noah Fant, was a huge addition to the Bengals offense. Last season, the Bengals were implementing Erick All into more of their offense as the season went on, but another torn ACL ended All’s season. Fant, could be exactly what All was for the Bengals last season. Having Gesicki and Fant on the field at the same time, coupled with the two top receivers, gives Joe Burrow an insane amount of weaponry on the field.

OFFENSIVE LINE (10)

Starters: T Orlando Brown, G Dylan Fairchild, C Ted Karras, G Lucas Patrick, T Amarius Mims

Backups: Jalen Rivers, Cody Ford, Cordell Volson, Matt Lee, Seth McLaughlin

Bubble: Jaxson Kirkland, Devin Cochran

The Bengals have needed to upgrade the offensive line for years. They put money and draft picks into the line for the last few years but upgrades are certainly needed. This year, possibly more than ever. Tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims are two massive individuals, who will anchor the right and left sides of the line. Despite their size, the Bengals biggest concern, is the interior of the line, specifically at guard. The offensive line has not had a good camp overall, so the majority of the positions available, are up for grabs. What the offensive line comes down to is the fact that these guys have to step up and win the jobs. With the fact the Bengals are so thin and desperate on the line, the backup positions are all up to be taken. Out of the players in line for a backup spot, Cody Ford seems to be a lock based off his versatility. The preseason is crucial for these players because they have the most import job on this team, protecting the franchise, Joe Burrow. It is a must for the offensive linemen to have a solid preseason, otherwise it is not out of the realm of possibility the Bengals could be shopping the waiver wire, to bring in quality players.

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)

Starters: DE Trey Hendrickson, DE Joseph Ossai/Myles Murphy, DT T.J. Slayton, DT B.J. Hill

Backups: DE Myles Murphy/Joseph Ossai, DE Shemar Stewart, DE Cedrick Johnson, DE Cam Sample, DT McKinley Jackson, DT Kris Jenkins

Bubble: Howard Cross III, Eric Gregory

The defensive line was a huge question coming into the season and not much has been answered during camp. Defensive player of the year runner up, Trey Hendrickson, is in the middle of his contract dispute with the team. The Bengals and first round draft pick, Shemar Stewart finally came to an agreement on a contract last week. That has allowed Stewart to be a full go participant in camp. In looking at the defensive line, the Bengals have a lot of depth, but that depth has to step up and be a crucial part to this defense. The last few seasons, the Bengals have been able to rotate players in and out on the line and this season should be no different. This is a season where the ends have to be a big part of the defense. If Hendrickson joins the team before the season starts, you know what you are going to get from him. If not, everything will fall on Joseph Ossai, Myles Murphy and Stewart. T.J. Slayton and B.J. Hill are going to be key pieces in the run game. If the depth pieces can rise to the occasion, the Bengals defense will be in good shape.

LINEBACKER (5)

Starters: Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight

Backups: Oren Burks, Barrett Carter, Maema Njongmeta

Bubble: Shaka Heyward

The Bengals moved on from a couple of key pieces from linebacker last season. They focused on the draft and free agency to rebuild. Second round pick, Demetrius Knight has had a solid camp and will be alongside Logan Wilson as a starter. The big battle will be between Shaka Howard and Maema Njongmeta for the final spot, with the loser being on the practice squad. Another rookie, Barrett Carter has had a good camp as well, putting him in a great spot to be one of the backups.

SECONDARY (10)

Starters: CB DJ Turner, CB Cam Taylor-Britt, CB Dax Hill, S Geno Stone, S Jordan Battle

Backups: CB DJ Ivey, CB Josh Newton, CB Marco Wilson, S Tycen Anderson, S Daijahn Anthony

Bubble: CB Jalen Davis, CB Bralyn Lux

The secondary has been decimated with injuries early on in camp. There are a lot of expectations on this unit as the addition of Al Golden as defensive coordinator, should help tremendously. Safety Geno Stone started out the season, struggling mightily before settling in, while Jordan Battle was never really given a solid chance to contribute. Under Golden, both will be needed to be a big part of the defense. The corners will be a fun battle to watch play out, especially between Marco Wilson, Jalen Davis and Bralyn Lux. There will only be one spot available between those three, with the other two most likely headed to the practice squad.

SPECIALISTS (3)

Starter: Ryan Rehkow (P), Evan McPherson (K), Cal Adomitis (LS)

The only battle between the specialists will be at long snapper. Cal Adomitis and William Wagner are the two who are trying to be the one to make the team. Evan McPherson and Ryan Rehkow have the kicker and punter positions locked down, respectively. The operation between the long snapper, holder and kicker will be the determining factor on who makes it. Last season, McPherson struggled and it was in part due to the issues with a new holder and long snapper.

With Joe Burrow at quarterback, the Cincinnati Bengals will continually be one of the favorites to come out of the AFC and their roster helps with that. Depth is a very important part to any team and the Bengals are sitting in a relatively good spot. Every one of these players will play a very important role at some point during the season as the Bengals look to make another run at a Lombardi Trophy. The addition of Al Golden as defensive coordinator should be a big help. If the Bengals can get average defensive play, they will be in a very dangerous team. The offense will be one of the best in all of football, so an average defense will take the Bengals places. Looking back at last season, if the Bengals got below average defense, they would have had at least four more wins and possibly a deep run in the playoffs. That is the difference between making the playoffs and watching the playoffs from your couch. The Cincinnati Bengals have what it takes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy but it will take a full organizational effort.

Chris Asbrock and Impact Sports Cincinnati can be followed on Twitter   and