Zac Taylor Keeps Focus on the Field as Contract Questions Swirl
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor made it clear Monday: he’s not interested in talking contracts. During his December 17 press conference, Taylor deflected questions about the length of his current deal and whether a recent extension had been made public.
“I don’t think it really matters,” Taylor said when asked directly. “I coach every day like it’s my last. I’ve been through years in 2019 and 2020 that were, literally, you coach every game thinking it could be your last game.”
That mindset has been a constant for Taylor since he took over in Cincinnati. Back in those early years, when wins were hard to come by and the rebuild was still in its infancy, Taylor coached under the weight of uncertainty. Now, even with more stability around the organization, he says his approach hasn’t changed.
When pressed again about the specifics of his contract, Taylor didn’t budge. “I’m not going to respond to that,” he said, doubling down on his “coach like it’s your last day” philosophy.
But behind the scenes, there’s more clarity than Taylor is letting on. According to a report from The Athletic, Taylor is under contract through the 2027 season. That extension reportedly came after the 2022 campaign - the year Cincinnati came one game short of another Super Bowl appearance, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
What’s notable here is that the Bengals never publicly announced the extension. That’s a departure from how the franchise typically handles these moves. It’s prompted questions - including from local media - about why the organization chose to keep things quiet.
What’s also fueling the conversation is the Bengals’ current trajectory. With a 4-10 record and officially out of playoff contention, this marks the team’s first losing season since 2020.
And barring a clean sweep in their final three games, it’ll be their third straight sub-.500 finish. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that not long ago was considered one of the AFC’s rising powers.
Still, Taylor expressed confidence in his staff and their ability to get the team back to contending form. He’s not shying away from the challenge ahead - even if the questions about his job security and contract status linger.
It’s worth noting that the Bengals have traditionally been patient with their head coaches, often sticking with them through rough patches - especially when there are multiple years left on a deal. That history, combined with Taylor’s reported contract through 2027, suggests there’s no imminent change on the horizon.
For now, Taylor’s keeping the focus where he wants it: on the field, on his players, and on finishing the season with purpose. Contract talk can wait - at least as far as he’s concerned.