The Cincinnati Bengals just rolled over the Chicago Bears, taking a 27-9 win in their second preseason game, and honestly, even with starters resting, it was a show. This game didn’t “matter” for the standings, sure, but what really went down in front of the home crowd told us a ton about who’s battling for those precious final roster spots. The Bengals are now sitting at a meaningless 2-0 to kick off their 2026 campaign, but some guys definitely made a statement.
Johnson and Hudson Light Up the Scoreboard
Quarterback Josh Johnson took the field for the entire first half and absolutely showed he can still play ball, even if the “Joe’s” keep him from playing in Cincinnati this year. Facing off against the Bears’ starting defense, Johnson got things moving, engineering a 14-play, 62-yard drive that ended in a field goal. But that was just a warm-up! He later found wide receiver Colbie Young in the end zone, giving the Bengals a 10-6 lead in the second quarter. Johnson wasn’t done, either. He capped off his stellar performance by leading another scoring drive, hitting tight end Tanner Hudson in the end zone with less than 30 seconds left in the half, pushing the Bengals to a 17-6 advantage. Johnson wrapped up the night with 15 completions on 23 attempts for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Talk about making a case!
Speaking of Hudson, he’s definitely got pressure on him with the tight end depth chart stacked. But catching Johnson’s second touchdown pass of the second quarter from the six-yard line, which sealed that two-score lead, was huge. Producing when he’s on the field is critical for Hudson, and he delivered a big-time moment. His roster spot isn’t set in stone, but that play sure didn’t hurt his chances.
WRs Young and Meyers Making Their Mark
While the top four wide receiver spots are locked down, those WR5 and WR6 spots are wide open, and Colbie Young just might have snagged one of them. Trailing 6-3 in the second, Young burned his man deep down the right sideline and hauled in Johnson’s pass for that critical touchdown, flipping the score to 10-6. He led the team with three receptions for 48 yards and that huge touchdown. This kid is making noise.
Then there’s Dohnte Meyers, who’s been a fan favorite all offseason. He’s been impressive in both preseason games so far, and with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase sidelined, Meyers and Young stepped up big-time to lead the receiving room. Meyers finished Saturday night with a team-leading five catches for 41 yards, plus a nine-yard run. Both these guys are putting on a show for the coaching staff.
The Bengals have one more preseason game on the schedule. For many players, that final game is their last shot to prove they belong on that 53-man roster. Expect these guys fighting for a spot to leave it all on the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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