Bengals 2026 Training Camp Preview: RB
Players:
30. Chase Brown
34. Samaje Perine
25. Tahj Brooks
32. Gary Brightwell
36. Kendall Milton
24. Jamal Haynes
31. Kentrell Bullock
Some people were wondering if we’d see a big-ish move at the RB position – someone with a bigger profile who could complement Chase Brown. But with free agency and the draft having passed by, it seems like that won’t be happening, which is probably for the best, as overinvesting at RB isn’t always a good idea.
Brown will again occupy the starting position and get the bulk of the workload, barring a surprising late addition. He really came on in the back half of last season, once the offensive line started to gel and find their rhythm. Given his ability to contribute as a runner and pass catcher, his 3 down role should remain.
At this point, it is looking like Samaje Perine will reprise his role as the number 2. While he isn’t a flashy player, he is a solid runner, solid pass catcher, and solid in pass protection. His reliability will give him the upper hand in the battle to be the one to see action after Brown.
Tahj Brooks may end up providing some competition for Perine, given the team’s usage of a 2025 draft pick on him, along with Perine’s advancing age for a RB. However, Brooks’s profile is that of a bruiser, and there isn’t a lot of speed of ellusiveness in his game, nor is he the biggest threat as a pass catcher. His profile suggests that 3rd on the depth chart is most likely, but we’ll see if he can come in and earn more. He’ll certainly get a lot of touches in the preseason.
Gary Brightwell and Kendall Milton are both returnees who spent most of last season on the Bengals practice squad. Brightwell impressed in the preseason as a returner, and also got a few opportunities later in the regular season, when he was elevated to the roster for a couple of games. Milton, meanwhile, rushed a couple of times for 2 yards last season. There two will probably be going at it for the 4th RB position, which may again be a practice squad spot, if the team elects to keep only 3 on the roster.
Jamal Haynes and Kentrell Bullock will also be part of that battle. Both are rookie UDFA’s that the Bengals picked up after the draft. Haynes, to me, is the interesting one. I touched on this in my UDFA article as well, but he is someone with some shiftiness and an element of power to his game, despite being short for a RB. I like his skill set and could see him making things interesting. Bullock is more of a true power back, but doesn’t have as much elusiveness. We’ll see if he can make a push too.
Assuming they keep 3 on the roster, we could see 2 of the remaining options end up on the practice squad, so there should be opportunities for some of these guys to separate from the rest.
Thumbnail Image Via: Maryland GovPics (CC)