Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has hit rock bottom and tasted the mountaintop since his tenure began in 2019, but it's been disappointing recently. The Bengals have not made the playoffs since 2022 and will not make it this season, as they're 6-10 heading into their Week 18 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

However, Taylor will likely keep his job for at least another season, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The Bengals went 2-14 in 2019 before drafting franchise quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall in 2020. They finished 4-11-1 the following campaign after Burrow's season ended due to injury, but they made the Super Bowl at the end of the 2021 season. Burrow won Comeback Player of the Year, and star wideout Ja'Marr Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, they lost 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams in the "Big Game," and it's been all downhill from there.

Cincinnati fell 23-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship the following season, and it hasn't made the playoffs since. Burrow played just 10 games due to injury in 2023 and has played just seven this year after suffering turf toe in Week 2. Sunday's game against the Browns will be his eighth, which is less than half of today's 17-game regular-season schedule. 

Will Taylor right the ship in 2026?

Part of getting injured is bad luck, but it doesn't help that Burrow has taken 211 sacks across 76 career games. Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck retired in 2019 after taking 174 sacks over just 86 games.

Improving the pass-protection must be a top priority for the organization, as it won't go anywhere without a healthy Burrow. However, it must also improve its defense, which ranks 31st in football with 29.5 points allowed per game. Only the Dallas Cowboys (29.8) are worse.

If the front office upgrades both units over the coming months, then it will be fair to put the onus on Taylor to guide the team to the playoffs. Otherwise, the veteran coach will once again be working with one hand tied behind his back.

The good news is that the Benglas have Burrow, Chase, and fellow star wideout Tee Higgins under contract for the next few seasons. Running back Chase Brown, who has 1,366 yards from scrimmage this year, is also under contract for 2026.

Those players are pieces for the organization to build around, but it must provide Taylor with a more complete roster moving forward.