The Ravens still have one of the deepest teams in the NFL after several key departures and the retirement of Michael Pierce during the offseason. Such attrition provides the opportunity for younger players on the roster to assume larger roles while maintaining a Super Bowl window for a team that’ll have new starters at several key defensive positions.
Over the next two weeks, we will conduct mini-previews of the four AFC North teams as they begin reporting for training camp, with the Ravens’ rookies set to report a week from Tuesday. Cleveland is next, with Cincinnati reporting on July 19 and Pittsburgh reporting on July 23.
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With mid-July fast approaching, we’re looking at what Ravens fans should know about the Cincinnati Bengals before training camp begins.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) runs through drills during practice, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Downtown Cincinnati.
Bengals’ external free agency or trade additions this offseason:
T.J. Slaton, DT
LB Joe Giles-Harris
G Lucas Patrick
HB Samaje Perine
Oren Burks, LB
Bengals’ external free agency departures this offseason:
LB Joe Bachie – Signed with Indianapolis Colts
RB Trayveon Williams – Signed with New England Patriots
OT Trent Brown – Signed with Houston Texans
DL Jay Tufele – Signed with New York Jets
RB Khalil Herbert – Signed with Indianapolis Colts
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither – Signed with Arizona Cardinals
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DE Sam Hubbard – Retired
The Bengals selected Hubbard in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 104 regular-season games with a streak of 88 consecutive starts from 2019-24. His career totals included 398 tackles (236 solos), 55 TFLs, 38.5 sacks, 16 PDs, one INT, six FFs, and five FRs. His 38.5 sacks are the fourth-most among all players in the 2018 rookie class.
Bengals key weapons
Joe Burrow is a top-three quarterback, but the most impactful news of the off-season was the Bengals signing their WR duo to historic deals totaling $276 million. This past season, Chase became the fifth player since the merger to lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches in the same season. Chase caught 127 of his 175 targets for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.
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The 26-year-old Higgins caught 73 of 109 targets for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns over 12 regular-season games in 2024, and after the contract extension, he will remain a Bengal for the foreseeable future.
Will the Bengals’ free-agent additions pan out?
Slayton ranked third among qualifying players in run stop win rate last season (NFL Next Gen Stats). While not a big pressure guy, he will definitely help a defense that needs to improve against the run. Perine was the backup running back during the team’s deep playoff runs in 2021 and 2022, including a key reception in the AFC championship win over Kansas City. Perine is an excellent pass blocker who should complement Brown and coach Zac Taylor’s offense. Burks has played 108 games in eight seasons. He started two of his 17 appearances with the Eagles and totaled 41 tackles. With Akeem Davis-Gaither on the move to Arizona and Germaine Pratt requesting a trade, getting a linebacker was a big priority for Cincinnati’s defense and new coordinator Al Golden.
How did the Bengals approach the NFL draft
The Cincinnati Bengals made six picks, beginning with the No. 17 selection of the first round, which they used to improve a troubled defense with Shemar Stewart. The complete list of Bengals 2025 NFL draft picks were EDGE Shemar Stewart (Round 1, Pick 17), LB Demetrius Knight Jr. (Round 2, Pick 49), G Dylan Fairchild (Round 3, Pick 81), LB Barrett Carter (Round 4, Pick 119), T Jalen Rivers (Round 5, Pick 153), and RB Tahj Brooks (Round 6, Pick 193), according to the Cincinnati Bengals.
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When does training camp begin for the Cincinnati Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals’ training camp is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 23rd. Rookie players will report on Saturday, July 19th, and veterans will report on Tuesday, July 22nd. The Bengals will hold eight open practices at the Kettering Health Practice Fields, located adjacent to Paycor Stadium. The first open practice is on July 23rd, with subsequent open practices on July 24th, 25th, 28th, 30th, 31st, and August 3rd. Additionally, there will be a special Saturday night practice in Paycor Stadium on August 2.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: What Ravens fans should know about the Cincinnati Bengals