The Cincinnati Bengals have two clear stars at receiver in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But it’s also been third-year wideout Andrei Iosivas who’s drawn the most attention at practice.
Iosivas delivered his best day of camp yet on Wednesday, making several high-difficulty grabs in both 1-on-1 and team drills. His top moment came in the middle of the field — a one-handed catch in tight coverage on a strike from Joe Burrow. It was a throw that required trust and precision. Iosivas did the rest.
“The contested catches, when he first came here, was not his strong suit,” Burrow said of the track athlete turned football player, per ESPN’s Ben Baby. “He’s turned it into a strength of his game. That’s exciting to see.”
Iosivas, who played college ball at Princeton and ran track at a high level, entered the league with raw tools. He’s added strength and polish over the last two seasons. This camp, it’s showing. He’s running clean routes and producing consistently in drills.
The Bengals need that kind of growth. Iosivas has a shot to establish himself as a reliable WR3 option behind the Pro Bowl tandem of Chase and Higgins.
Burrow Tests Coverage in Bengals Red Zone Work
Burrow was aggressive throughout sessions this week. The offense focused on red zone looks and intermediate throws. Burrow fired into tight windows often, including the strike to Iosivas.
He did throw an interception during a red zone period, but overall, it was a sharp outing. The offense appears to be further ahead than it was at this point last summer.
The Bengals have prioritized tempo and precision early in camp.
Demetrius Knight Jr., a second-round pick and projected starter, was joined by Barrett Carter, a fourth-rounder out of Clemson. The duo held their own, particularly against the run, showing range and anticipation in live periods.
Carter has been flashing all camp in limited snaps. On Wednesday, he played with urgency and discipline — sticking with backs in coverage and crashing downhill on inside zone runs. The coaching staff has emphasized communication and adaptability at linebacker. Both rookies are trending up in that area.
What’s Next In Training Camp?
With Marco Wilson still sidelined due to injury, second-year corner DJ Ivey is making a push. Ivey has consistently made plays in practice, both in one-on-ones and team drills. He’s rotated in with the second-team defense and even saw some snaps alongside the starters this week.
His size and ball skills have drawn praise from coaches. If Wilson remains out, Ivey could be the top reserve on the outside once the season opens.
The Bengals will continue padded practices through the end of the week, with another red zone and third-down emphasis scheduled for Friday. Cincinnati opens its preseason slate on August 11.
But for now, all eyes are on Iosivas. He’s gone from fringe contributor to one of the camp’s most reliable targets. If the trend continues, he may force himself into a real role once the regular season kicks off.
