Although they are set to miss the playoffs for the third straight season, the Bengals' stars support their head coach and have made their opinion clear to the front office.
With just one game remaining in the 2025 NFL season, the 6-10 Cincinnati Bengals look to end the year on a three-game winning-streak by beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 18. Win or lose, this will be the Bengals’ worst record since superstar quarterback Joe Burrow’s rookie season in 2020.
The Bengals have struggled tremendously this season, largely due to two main factors: Burrow missing nine games due to turf toe and having the worst defense in the NFL statistically. Regardless of these variables, the fact of the matter is the Bengals will miss the playoffs for the third year in a row, and that sparks the conversation of head coach Zac Taylor’s job security moving forward.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor
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Although the speculation has risen for much of this season, Cincinnati’s stars had something to say before the decision was made for the head coach.
Bengals’ superstars Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins have voiced their commitment and dedication to Taylor to Cincinnati ownership, according to Dianna Russini with The Athletic. Having respected Burrow’s opinion in the past, Taylor does not seem to be on the hot seat, at least for the foreseeable future.
The confusing part of this drama is why Zac Taylor is receiving the blame for the Bengals’ struggles. It is obvious that this team is not the same without their two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, and when he plays, the point of focus shifts to the defense. Taylor, however, is the offensive play caller for the team, so the real concern should potentially move to the defensive coordinator, Al Golden.
Golden was signed by the Bengals in January of last year, with his contract details not being released to the public. This leaves his status with the team moving forward in limbo, especially after a dip from an already below-average defense under the previous defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo. While some may feel the need to panic after three straight years of missing the playoffs, it would be unfair to get rid of Golden after just one year with the franchise.
Next season is an important one for the Bengals franchise. If the front office is able to execute the moves they need to make as far as improving the offensive line and defense, then Cincinnati will surely expect to make a deep postseason run with its stars healthy and available. If this doesn’t happen, or there aren’t significant signs of improvement, then the questions of coaching firings will surely be validated, both for Taylor and Golden.