Jack Endries Makes Strong First Impression in Bengals Preseason Debut

The Cincinnati Bengals had their first preseason game on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. While star players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Dexter Lawrence got a few snaps, the majority of the game focused on depth players and rookies to see who the Bengals will be able to rely on in the regular season. 

One of those players who shined in his first professional game was tight end Jack Endries. The former Texas Longhorns tight end who started his career at the University of California was a late-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, taken in the seventh round with the 221st pick. 

He is in one of the deepest and most competitive position rooms on the Bengals roster, fighting for snaps with Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson, Erick All, and Drew Sample. They have either established themselves on the roster or have a very high ceiling as a hybrid blocking and receiving tight end. 

Nevertheless, Endries was one of the Bengals' most productive offensive players. Joe Burrow and the starters only played around two series, with Chase and Higgins combining for one reception. Endries caught all three of his targets for 25 yards and a touchdown.

In the third quarter, Cincinnati ran a play action with a roll-out to the left, and Josh Johnson lobbed a pass to an open Endries who ran a drag route through the second level of the defense. Endries made the first defender miss, and then broke an ankle tackle five yards down the field. He then juked out a defensive back and rumbled down the field for a few more yards. 

Endries turned what should have been around a seven-yard gain into a 17-yard reception, showing his abilities in yards after the catch. 

His touchdown came on a slide run-pass option play in the red zone, where Joe Flacco hit Endries in the flat, and he easily scored. 

Zac Taylor praised Endries for his consistency since joining the roster. Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie’s Chalkboard and Fox 19 said that Endries shows up at the facility at 6:45 every morning to get extra work in, wanting to be ready for his opportunity despite not getting many reps in practice. 

Despite all his success on the big stage, Endries turned into that little kid who was aware of how cool everything he was doing was. Endries was excited to catch his first professional touchdown pass from legendary quarterback Joe Flacco, and he was thankful that he went after the play and retrieved the ball for him. 

Gesicki, All, Hudson, and Sample all have contracts that expire after 2026 or 2027. Endries doesn’t have to be in a rush to turn into a tight end now, but he needs to show the intangibles of being a tight end that Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor can rely on.