Zac Taylor’s Future in Cincinnati: Stability or Stagnation?
In Cincinnati, patience isn’t just a virtue - it’s practically a franchise philosophy. Bengals owner Mike Brown has long been known for his loyalty to head coaches, often sticking with them through thick, thin, and sometimes downright ugly seasons.
David Shula got four years. Marvin Lewis held the reins for 16 - without a single playoff win.
And now, Zac Taylor appears poised to get another shot, despite the wheels coming off in 2025.
Let’s be clear: Taylor’s seat is hotter than it’s ever been. The Bengals have stumbled to a 4-9 start, their worst campaign since Joe Burrow’s rookie year, and the cracks are showing.
Defensive collapses have become a recurring theme, and the team looks far removed from the Super Bowl contender it was not too long ago. But in Cincinnati, the usual rules don’t always apply.
According to reporting from Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals may opt to let Taylor coach out the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2026.
That’s not exactly the norm in today’s NFL, where head coaches are often shown the door after far less. But Mike Brown has always operated on his own timeline.
As Fowler put it, “Anything is possible there.” And with Brown’s track record, that feels more like a warning than a prediction.
The Case for Keeping Taylor
To be fair, there are reasons for the Bengals to stay the course. Losing Joe Burrow in Week 2 was a gut punch - the kind of injury that can derail even the most talented rosters.
Burrow is the heartbeat of this team, and without him, the offense has struggled to find any rhythm. Backup quarterback Jake Browning has done what he can, but he’s not Burrow.
Few are.
Then there’s the defense, which has been a liability all season. Al Golden’s unit has consistently failed to hold leads or make crucial stops, and the results have been costly.
But it was Taylor who brought Golden in. It was Taylor who rolled the dice with Browning as the backup.
That’s where the accountability conversation starts to get real.
Taylor’s overall record now stands at 50-61-1. He’s headed for a third straight season without a playoff appearance, and unless something changes drastically, this will be his first losing season since 2020. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that was in the Super Bowl just a few years ago.
What’s at Stake
Here’s the thing: Cincinnati isn’t some rebuilding project. This is a team with a franchise quarterback (when healthy), a solid offensive core, and a division that’s far from locked down.
If Taylor were let go, the Bengals would instantly become one of the most attractive coaching destinations in the league. The pieces are there - they just need someone who can put it all together, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
That’s what makes this situation so fascinating. The Bengals are essentially betting that Taylor and Burrow can recapture the magic of 2021.
But that season is starting to feel like a distant memory. The NFL moves fast, and windows don’t stay open forever.
Final Thoughts
Mike Brown’s loyalty is admirable in a league that often lacks it. But at some point, loyalty has to be weighed against results.
Zac Taylor has had highs - no doubt about it. But the lows are starting to pile up, and the Bengals have to ask themselves whether they’re holding onto stability or clinging to a past that may not come back.
For now, it looks like Taylor will get at least one more year to prove he’s still the right man for the job. But if 2026 starts anything like 2025 has gone, that patience may finally run out.