Bengals Defense Shines in Joint Practice with Bears

Cincinnati, OH – The Bengals defense was the star of the show during the joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Thursday. The team’s new-look unit, featuring four new starters, including Dexter Lawrence, looked ready to roll, and the offense was not able to keep up.

One of the biggest storylines of the day was the scuffle between Joe Burrow and Dayo Odeyingbo. The Bengals quarterback got into his first scuffle since college, and it was a rare sight for fans. Burrow was not happy with Odeyingbo’s actions and let him know it. The two players were separated before things could escalate further.

Burrow was asked about the scuffle after practice and gave a two-word answer: ‘Shit happens.’ He admitted that this was the first time since college that he got into a scuffle. Burrow also stated that it was ‘fun to go at it a little bit.’ The Bengals quarterback’s teammates were ready to go to battle for him during the scuffle, and that’s what Ja’Marr Chase wants to see more of this year.

‘I don’t care what we do, we just better f—ing protect Joe,’ Chase said after practice. The urgency in the locker room is high, and Burrow is reminding everyone of that all the time. ‘The urgency is very high in the locker room, you can feel it,’ Burrow said. ‘It’s palpable.’

Burrow was asked if this is a ‘now or never’ season for the Bengals, and he didn’t disagree with that assessment. ‘I’m tired of saying next year, next year, next year,’ Burrow said. ‘This is it. Life is too short to keep pushing things down the road.’ Burrow threw just one interception against the Bears, and it actually came on the play that started the scuffle. His pass bounced off Mike Gesicki and into the hands of Chicago safety Dillon Thieneman, who came away with the interception.

Burrow got some revenge on the next play when he hit Chase for a big gain after the receiver made an impressive toe-dragging catch along the sideline. Overall, Burrow had a strong practice, and his favorite receiver was Tee Higgins, who caught at least six passes. ‘Tee made some plays today,’ Burrow said. ‘That was good to see. We know what kind of player Tee is, and he’s going to make big plays in big spots, and we’re counting on him.’

Besides Higgins and Chase, Burrow also made some big throws to Drew Sample and Andrei Iosivas. Although the offense was good, the Bengals have to be thrilled with how their defense played. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights from the practice.

Key Takeaways from the Joint Practice

• The Bengals defense looked ready to roll, and the offense was not able to keep up.
• Joe Burrow got into his first scuffle since college, and it was a rare sight for fans.
• The Bengals have to be thrilled with how their defense played, and they are looking for a ‘now or never’ season.

The Bengals defense was the star of the show during the joint practice with the Bears on Thursday. The team’s new-look unit, featuring four new starters, including Dexter Lawrence, looked ready to roll, and the offense was not able to keep up.

The Bengals were in a feisty mood Thursday, and one reason is that everyone on the roster seems to sense the urgency surrounding the 2026 season. And if they don’t realize it, they will soon because Burrow is reminding everyone all the time.

Star of the day: Myles Murphy

Earlier this year, the Bengals decided not to pick up Murphy’s fifth-year option, which means the pass rusher is in a contract year. If Thursday’s practice was any indication, Murphy might be setting himself up for a huge payday.

The final offensive possession of practice went to the Bears, and they did nothing with the ball because no one could block Murphy. The 2023 second-round pick sacked Williams on two straight plays, including one that ended with a ‘safety.’ One ref ruled it a safety, but the officials gave the ball back to the Bears at the 1 so they could run another play because this was a practice. On the next play, Williams threw an interception to Jalen Davis.

Murphy also recorded at least one other sack earlier in the day, so he had at least three against the Bears. During an interview after practice, Murphy got an ovation at his locker from Boye Mafe.