Zac Taylor tries to set the tempo early, Bengals’ starters take control in preseason opener at Paycor Stadium

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor framed the team’s preseason opener at Paycor Stadium around getting the right tone early, and his approach showed up immediately in how the night began. According to the Bengals’ game story, Taylor started with decisive, visible symbolism at midfield during the opening coin toss, with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and center Ted Karras joining him as the starters prepared for their work.

Taylor’s early plan also shaped how long the first unit stayed in. The Bengals reported that the “ones” received two series after the opening moments, a usage pattern designed to establish rhythm and evaluate the core group in live, game-speed situations.

The early payoff, per Cincinnati, came quickly enough to matter in the flow of the exhibition. With the first group on the field across those two series, the Bengals reached a 3-0 lead early in the contest, giving Taylor a concrete early indicator of how his opening-week process was translating on the grass.

Even in a preseason setting where results are less central than evaluation, the decision to keep the starters engaged longer than a brief look is still a coaching statement. Cincinnati’s approach, as described in its own preview-style recap, treated those initial possessions as an opportunity to confirm fundamentals, from timing in the interior line to how the quarterback and play-calling support the run-pass mix in game conditions.

The Bengals’ release also highlights how the coin toss moment was more than ceremony. Sending Lawrence and Karras to midfield for the start reflects the emphasis on leadership and coordination among the front, where communication and assignments can define the first drives, especially in exhibition play that often features rotations and mixed personnel.

What to watch next is how Cincinnati balances that early emphasis with the broader preseason picture, where playing time and reps become the true currency. After using two starter series to establish early momentum, the Bengals will likely shift emphasis toward depth evaluation and continuity among second- and third-team units, while trying to preserve whatever command the opening group showed.

For fans and team observers, the immediate story is straightforward: Taylor wanted the opening stretch to communicate standards, and the Bengals built an early 3-0 cushion through the first-group windows he prioritized. The longer question is whether that tempo turns into consistent execution as the roster turns over across the remainder of the preseason.