Tanner Hudson Extends Bengals Lead Against Bears With Short Preseason Touchdown

Cincinnati is rolling out the backups for this game.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson (87) walks the field during the Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp 2026 at Kettering Practice Field in Cincinnati on Thursday, July 30, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Tanner Hudson made some noise in the end zone on Saturday night.

He's in a tight roster battle at the Bengals' tight end spot and notched a strong moment for himself on a short touchdown right after getting motioned out by quarterback Josh Johnson. It gave Cincinnati a 17-6 lead over Chicago.

The Bengals' third-string veteran passer has been solid tonight, going 15-of-23 passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns so far.

Cincinnati is trying to start 2-0 in the preseason.

Hudson is playing on a one-year deal he inked earlier this offseason. He signed a one-year, $1,350,000 contract to stay with the Bengals. His base salary for 2026 is $1.3 million. He earned a $50,000 signing bonus in the process, adding up to $1.35 million in cash this year.

Check out the big play to take a double-digit lead over Chicago and the drive log as well:

Huddy for a tuddy#CHIvsCIN 7:00 PM on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/699Ot9qbl5

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 23, 2026

6-yd Touchdown Pass

0:23 - 2nd

Last Play

(Shotgun) J.Johnson pass short left to T.Hudson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-W. Wagner, Holder-R.Rehkow.

1st & Goal at CHI 6

6-yd Penalty

0:32 - 2nd

(Shotgun) J.Johnson sacked at CHI 18 for -6 yards (sack split by J.Kromah and D.Hardy).PENALTY on CHI-J.Blackwell, Defensive Holding, 6 yards, enforced at CHI 12 - No Play.

2nd & 1 at CHI 12

(0:32 - 2nd) Timeout #1 by CIN at 00:32.

9-yd Pass

0:36 - 2nd

(Shotgun) J.Johnson pass short right to D.Meyers to CHI 12 for 9 yards (S.Thomas).

1st & 10 at CHI 21

(0:36 - 2nd) Timeout #1 by CHI at 00:36.

10-yd Run

0:52 - 2nd

(Shotgun) T.Brooks left guard to CHI 21 for 10 yards (Ne.Sewell). CHI-Ne.Sewell was injured during the play.

1st & 10 at CHI 31

19-yd Pass

0:59 - 2nd

(No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Johnson pass short right to T.Brooks ran off at CHI 31 for 19 yards (A.Johnson).

1st & 10 at 50

13-yd Pass

1:21 - 2nd

(Shotgun) J.Johnson pass short right to C.Young to 50 for 13 yards (R.Hyppolite; D.Manning).

1st & 10 at CIN 37

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