The Cincinnati Bengals have plenty of questions chasing them into training camp this year.

After an all-in offseason around Joe Burrow with some surprise moves and many of them modern-feeling in nature, expectations are huge.

For the Bengals to have any sort of chance of meeting those expectations, though, they will have to positively answer the toughest questions of all at each spot.

Bengals training camp burning questions

QB: Can Joe Burrow stay healthy?

That’s the only real question at the spot anymore. They have one of, if not the NFL’s best outright quarterback room with Joe Flacco as the backup. But Burrow appeared in just eight games last year and 10 in 2023. Unlucky stuff or not, it’s part of the conversation with him right now…until it isn’t.

RB: Can Chase Brown take another step?

Chase Brown had a mini-breakout last year. He ran for 1,019 yards and six scores on a 4.4 average, plus added 69 catches for 437 yards and five more scores. But it was mini because it feels like he still has room to grow. He’s unchallenged as the starter, but it could be interesting to see last year’s efficiency take another jump in the offense.

WR: Who emerges as No. 3?

The need at wideout behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins tended to go overlooked this offseason. That is, until they drafted Colbie Young, anyway. He’s got a chance to steal some playing time as the third wideout and in specific packages after Andrei Iosivas’ down year last season. Mitch Tinsley is still there as a threat, too. Kendric Pryor has past experience and Charlie Jones, while special teams mostly, is an option. It’s quietly one of the bigger battles on the entire roster.

TE: Can Erick All make the difference?

Tight end is a weird spot for the Bengals, full of mostly specialists. Mike Gesicki is a slot receiver. Drew Sample is a blocker. Erick All is the all-arounder, but the injury woes that crushed his draft stock remain. The offense is much more dynamic with him on the field, but he missed all of last season after playing just nine games as a rookie.

OL: Will consistency produce a leap?

This is the first time the Bengals have returned all starting five offensive linemen in the Joe Burrow era. Now, one has to wonder if them doing it from the very start of training camp will provide additional benefits. Remember, they didn’t sign Dalton Risner last year until late August. They need effective play across the board, if not a jump compared to last year, while rookies like Brian Parker and Connor Lew develop.

DL: Breakouts at EDGE?

Are the breakouts finally going to happen? The Bengals have been waiting on Myles Murphy since taking him in the first round years ago. He slightly flashed down the stretch last year. First-rounder Shemar Stewart had his rookie campaign last year derailed by a contract dispute and untimely injuries. And the coaching staff believes that free-agent arrival Boye Mafe can make a new-team leap like Trey Hendrickson did after signing years ago. They need at least one. Two would be ideal, three would be go-buy-a-lottery-ticket stuff.

LB: Signs of life?

The Bengals, through actions and words, have made it clear that Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter will get second chances this year. Risky play, considering how things blew up with Logan Wilson and overall veteran depth last season. Alas, they’re all-in on the idea of second-year development for those guys at the same time Dexter Lawrence arrives to make their jobs easier.

CB: Who wins the slot job?

Quietly, the Bengals didn’t do much for their slot corner need. That is, unless they spoil a good thing by moving Dax Hill back from boundary corner to inside. Doesn’t sound like they’re doing that, though. They like Jalen Davis and Josh Newton will compete. Ja’Sir Taylor came over via free agency to compete, too. Overall, though, it’s not an encouraging group.

S: How does Kyle Dugger get deployed?

Nobody will knock Bryan Cook and Jordan Battle from starting roles, unless there’s a shocker of a downfall from the latter. Don’t forget about the Kyle Dugger signing, though. He’s a versatile veteran who can spotlight in three-safety sets, rotate in and out with the starters and see plenty of work at corner or hybrid spots. It’s on Al Golden to get the most out of him situationally, though.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals training camp: One burning question at each position