Notes From Training Camp 2025

[*pally*]

FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!

Rookies report today with vets following on the 22nd. first official practice is on the 23rd.

Today’s big question is whether Stewart and Knight will sign their contracts. Knight should with the guaranteed money logjam breaking up for the 2nd rounders.
Stewart hopefully will blink. He needs to get out on the field. He can’t practice now until he has a contract…no waivers for TC like during OTAs.

We an also should start seeing some roster moves like placing players on PUP or NFI lists if necessary

[*Synric*]

I'll put this here since we are finally going to start talking football around here lol.

They are doing Gap Controls drills. Stacking and shedding. You can see thr massive difference in Ossai's core power compared to Keis Jenkins. Completely different players. This isn't Ossai's best trait and it is Kris Jenkins best trait.

The #Bengals open camp in 9 days. I’m counting down with a daily observation:
Defensive improvement is the obvious key to returning to the postseason.
“We have to step up and can’t have another year like last year, where the defense was pulling down the team,” said Joseph Ossai. pic.twitter.com/KZc138Q6DI

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 14, 2025

[Bronxbengal]

(5 hours ago)Synric Wrote: I'll put this here since we are finally going to start talking football around here lol.

They are doing Gap Controls drills. Stacking and shedding. You can see thr massive difference in Ossai's core power compared to Keis Jenkins. Completely different players. This isn't Ossai's best trait and it is Kris Jenkins best trait.

The #Bengals open camp in 9 days. I’m counting down with a daily observation:
Defensive improvement is the obvious key to returning to the postseason.
“We have to step up and can’t have another year like last year, where the defense was pulling down the team,” said Joseph Ossai. pic.twitter.com/KZc138Q6DI

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 14, 2025

Anyone have a picture of the Bengals first and second round picks practicing?  Oh I forgot they are not signed….NVM

[*Synric*]

(5 hours ago)Bronxbengal Wrote: Anyone have a picture of the Bengals first and second round picks practicing?  Oh I forgot they are not signed….NVM

Probably won't see pictures of anyone until the Bengals release some. I think it's raining in Cincy today they are probably in the bubble.

[*pally*]

(5 hours ago)Synric Wrote: Probably won't see pictures of anyone until the Bengals release some. I think it's raining in Cincy today they are probably in the bubble.

Today they probably won’t practice at all. Today is fir physicals, conditioning, and classroom

[Luvnit2]

(6 hours ago)pally Wrote: FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!

Rookies report today with vets following on the 22nd.  first official practice is on the 23rd.

Today’s big question is whether Stewart and Knight will sign their contracts. Knight should with the guaranteed money logjam breaking up for the 2nd rounders.  
Stewart hopefully will blink.  He needs to get out on the field.  He can’t practice now until he has a contract…no waivers for TC like during OTAs.

We an also should start seeing some roster moves like placing players on PUP or NFI lists if necessary

I hope you are correct on the rookies, but I don't have a lot of faith in the FO these days. To me Knight should have been easy once those around him signed. But here we are, rookies here and he is not signed. It is very disappointing to say the least. But today is a new day so maybe we will get some good news today.

[*pally*]

(3 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: I hope you are correct on the rookies, but I don't have a lot of faith in the FO these days. To me Knight should have been easy once those around him signed. But here we are, rookies here and he is not signed. It is very disappointing to say the least. But today is a new day so maybe we will get some good news today.

The guys around Knight just signed yesterday. I'm not concerned that he didn't sign immediately after...he may have been traveling to arrive in Cincinnati

[Soonerpeace]

I’m told and others posted that Zac wanted a more aggressive defense. If you aren’t very talented on defense you can’t be passive. It wasn’t a fit. Aggressive doesn’t always mean blitz crazy. I expect the coverages to change. We’ll see how it all translates

[Luvnit2]

(3 hours ago)pally Wrote: The guys around Knight just signed yesterday. I'm not concerned that he didn't sign immediately after...he may have been traveling to arrive in Cincinnati

 Yes guys did sign in droves yesterday and most around him so hopefully he signs, but Stewart is last 1st rounder to sign and it has been crickets on his potential signing as well.

[Luvnit2]

(3 hours ago)Soonerpeace Wrote: I’m told and others posted that Zac wanted a more aggressive defense. If you aren’t very talented on defense you can’t be passive. It wasn’t a fit. Aggressive doesn’t always mean blitz crazy. I expect the coverages to change. We’ll see how it all translates

I do think our run defense will be much better in 2025. I like Slayton and I think the Jenkins and Jackson will take a step or 2 forward. The pass defense is a major question mark. We have a lot of DE's who need to be much better in 2025 than in 2024 if Trey is not signed. 

[Soonerpeace]

(2 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: I do think our run defense will be much better in 2025. I like Slayton and I think the Jenkins and Jackson will take a step or 2 forward. The pass defense is a major question mark. We have a lot of DE's who need to be much better in 2025 than in 2024 if Trey is not signed. 

Agreed

[jj22]

Hard to spin missing your top two draft picks along with your top pass rusher as a good start to camp, when remembering the Defense was the biggest issue that needed fixed.

I’m more worried about Stewart and Trey situation than Knight. They may be waiting to announce today when he’s here and can sign it. If he’s in the building.

I hope people aren’t putting too much pressure on Al to turn this defense around year 1. Not with the offseason and the already questionable talent. I think we need to keep our expectations for the defense in check. I think we’ll see some improvement late in the season and year 2 in the system is when you’ll see the jump.

We needed a great defensive free agency and draft, in order for AL to have the year 1 turnaround, and we didn’t get it (Slayton I agree is an upgrade).

[*pally*]

Knight is signed

Sources: The #Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing. It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four.

With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp… pic.twitter.com/Vfc44XKhCQ

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 19, 2025

[Luvnit2]

(2 hours ago)jj22 Wrote: Hard to spin missing your top two draft picks along with your top pass rusher as a good start to camp, when remembering the Defense was the biggest issue that needed fixed.

I’m more worried about Stewart and Trey situation than Knight. They may be waiting to announce today when he’s here and can sign it. If he’s in the building.

I hope people aren’t putting too much pressure on Al to turn this defense around year 1. Not with the offseason and the already questionable talent. I think we need to keep our expectations for the defense in check. I think we’ll see some improvement late in the season and year 2 in the system is when you’ll see the jump.

We needed a great defensive free agency and draft, in order for AL to have the year 1 turnaround, and we didn’t get it (Slayton I agree is an upgrade).

How do you know our draft for defense is bad in your eyes already?

Knight is signed and did not miss camp so one positive.

[SunsetBengal]

(2 hours ago)pally Wrote: Knight is signed

Sources: The #Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing. It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four.

With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp… pic.twitter.com/Vfc44XKhCQ

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 19, 2025

Fantastic! Hopefully this is just the beginning of a lot of good news.

[jj22]

(2 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: How do you know our draft for defense is bad in your eyes already?

Knight is signed and did not miss camp so one positive.

I didn’t say bad. They’ll take time to develop. They shouldn’t hold the weight on their shoulders to turn one of the worst defenses into a top unit. No rookie should for a championship caliber team. 

That post was more about expectations and perspective then it was slamming any of the FA signings or rookies. 

And the contract issues with top pick and pass rusher regardless of if they sign soon doesn’t necessarily sound like the makings of a quick turnaround. 

[ERIC1]

(2 hours ago)pally Wrote: Knight is signed

Sources: The #Bengals and 2nd-round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. have agreed to a 4-year rookie deal with nearly 80 percent fully guaranteed at signing. It’s the first time in NFL history that the 49th pick has had guarantees in year four.

With Cincinnati’s rookies reporting to camp… pic.twitter.com/Vfc44XKhCQ

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 19, 2025

Great news...and the bengals..for the first time hired a full time team dietician and some additional scouts...what a great way to start the season

[Clark W Griswold]

Glad they got the 2nd round deal done but the 2 big signings are still out there. Hopefully TC starting will wake up both sides and they can get their edge rushers signed