Cincinnati — The Bengals opened training camp with a deliberate push to change the mood after a disappointing 2025, setting an aggressive tone from the very first practice as they try to rebuild momentum around their core players.
Intensity was visible early Wednesday as the roster walked through a full-team workout with starter Joe Burrow leading the offense for a seventh consecutive camp. Coaches emphasized competitiveness across the field, a message amplified by both on-field confrontations and an early injury.
During live, 11-on-11 periods, wideout Ja’Marr Chase ran routes against cornerback DJ Turner II, and the matchup drew a vocal reaction from veteran slot defender Jalen Davis, who stepped in to challenge Chase and animatedly pressed his case for playing time in the improved secondary.
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The heat of practice was interrupted when second-year edge rusher Shemar Stewart suffered a left-leg problem and was taken off the field on a cart. Team staff did not provide an immediate timetable, leaving Stewart’s status for upcoming sessions unclear.
Key takeaways from Day 1
- Culture reset: Coaches are prioritizing physical play and intra-squad competitiveness as part of a response to last season’s shortcomings.
- Quarterback continuity: Burrow remains the unquestioned starter and figurehead for the offense entering camp.
- Secondary competition: Matchups during team drills highlighted a crowded battle for cornerback roles, with veterans and younger players both making their cases.
- Injury watch: Stewart’s left-leg issue is the day’s main health concern; the team will provide updates after further evaluation.
Players and coaches framed the on-field sparring as part of normal preparation rather than personal animus. One defender described the exchanges as routine competitiveness among teammates who all want to earn roster spots and establish the identity coaches are demanding.
For Bengals fans, the early picture is straightforward: the organization wants a sharper, more physical team this year. How that goal translates through injuries, positional fights and the grind of camp will become clearer in the coming days as the roster adjusts and practice reports accumulate.
