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The Cincinnati Bengals offense has had a slow start to training camp. The increased use of motion, play-action and under-center snaps has not led to a smooth transition. Credit also has to go to the defense, as Dexter Lawrence, Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe have made several big plays and built consistency through the first full week of camp.
One of the biggest changes Zac Taylor has made to the offense is how he is using running back Chase Brown. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports that Brown has been used all over the field, similar to the way the Bengals have used Ja'Marr Chase.
Brown has, of course, lined up in the backfield often. However, he has also lined up in the slot and been used on jet sweeps, much like Chase. Many within the Bengals organization believe Brown can have a big season after surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. He has steadily improved his rushing and receiving production each season.
When Brown was asked whether he believes he is a top-10 running back in the league, teammate Andre Iosivas chimed in from the locker next to him, saying everyone was going to find out this season.
It appears Taylor views Brown in a role similar to players such as Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Christian McCaffrey, who were the NFL's three most productive receiving running backs in 2025 by a wide margin.
Brown lined up in the slot on just 9.7% of his receiving snaps last season and out wide on 4% of his snaps, according to PFF.
Compare that to Robinson, who spent more than 18% of his passing snaps in the slot and 10% out wide. McCaffrey lined up in the slot on more than 14% of his receiving snaps and out wide just 3.3% of the time. Gibbs' usage is more comparable to Brown's, as he makes most of his impact out of the backfield and on screens rather than lining up in the slot or out wide.
If Cincinnati can find a way to maximize Brown's skill set, it would help the offense. Players such as McCaffrey, Robinson and Gibbs add another dimension to an offense. In Brown's case, taking a running back who does not necessarily excel between the tackles and making him more of a receiving threat makes sense.
However, if the early returns from training camp have you concerned that Taylor may be overcomplicating things, that would be a fair reaction.
Continue reading...
One of the biggest changes Zac Taylor has made to the offense is how he is using running back Chase Brown. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports that Brown has been used all over the field, similar to the way the Bengals have used Ja'Marr Chase.
Brown has, of course, lined up in the backfield often. However, he has also lined up in the slot and been used on jet sweeps, much like Chase. Many within the Bengals organization believe Brown can have a big season after surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. He has steadily improved his rushing and receiving production each season.
When Brown was asked whether he believes he is a top-10 running back in the league, teammate Andre Iosivas chimed in from the locker next to him, saying everyone was going to find out this season.
It appears Taylor views Brown in a role similar to players such as Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Christian McCaffrey, who were the NFL's three most productive receiving running backs in 2025 by a wide margin.
Brown lined up in the slot on just 9.7% of his receiving snaps last season and out wide on 4% of his snaps, according to PFF.
Compare that to Robinson, who spent more than 18% of his passing snaps in the slot and 10% out wide. McCaffrey lined up in the slot on more than 14% of his receiving snaps and out wide just 3.3% of the time. Gibbs' usage is more comparable to Brown's, as he makes most of his impact out of the backfield and on screens rather than lining up in the slot or out wide.
If Cincinnati can find a way to maximize Brown's skill set, it would help the offense. Players such as McCaffrey, Robinson and Gibbs add another dimension to an offense. In Brown's case, taking a running back who does not necessarily excel between the tackles and making him more of a receiving threat makes sense.
However, if the early returns from training camp have you concerned that Taylor may be overcomplicating things, that would be a fair reaction.
Continue reading...
