Is Zac Taylor on the Hot Seat? If So, Here Are 3 Coaching Candidates Who Could Be a Fit in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals are staring down the barrel of a third straight season without a playoff appearance, and frustration is boiling over - not just among fans, but reportedly inside the building as well. And when a team with a franchise quarterback like Joe Burrow is underperforming, the spotlight inevitably shifts to the head coach.
Zac Taylor, who once led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and helped usher in a new era of relevance for the franchise, now finds himself at the center of growing speculation about his future. And while Cincinnati isn’t exactly known for making impulsive coaching changes - Marvin Lewis, after all, got 16 seasons and multiple playoff chances - the situation feels different this time.
The presence of Joe Burrow changes the calculus. As one league insider put it, “The opportunity to work with Joe Burrow is a market shifter.”
So if the Bengals do decide to make a move, who could be next in line? Let’s dive into three intriguing coaching candidates who are already drawing interest across the league - and who could make a lot of sense in Cincinnati.
1. Klint Kubiak - Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
If the Bengals want to maximize Joe Burrow’s prime and get back to being an offensive juggernaut, Klint Kubiak should be at the top of the list. Yes, he’s the son of Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak, but this isn’t just a case of football royalty getting a free ride. Klint has carved out his own identity - and this season in Seattle, he’s turned heads across the league.
The Seahawks offense has been completely transformed under Kubiak’s guidance. They’ve jumped from middle-of-the-pack to one of the most explosive units in the NFL. They’re averaging nearly 30 points per game, ranking second in the league, and have dramatically reduced sacks allowed - a particularly relevant stat for Bengals fans who’ve watched Burrow take far too many hits over the years.
Kubiak’s system is rooted in the Shanahan coaching tree - think outside zone runs, play-action, and quarterback-friendly reads. It’s a scheme designed to take pressure off the QB while still creating big-play opportunities. For a player like Burrow, who thrives on timing and rhythm, this kind of offense could be a game-changer.
And there’s more. A Kubiak hire could potentially bring with it one of Seattle’s top defensive assistants as a coordinator - perhaps someone with inside knowledge of what’s made the Seahawks’ defense so nasty this year. That kind of package deal could help the Bengals on both sides of the ball.
Oh, and don’t overlook the free-agent angle. A connection to Seattle might give Cincinnati a leg up in pursuing some of the Seahawks’ pending free agents - names like Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe, or Coby Bryant could become realistic targets.
2. Jeff Hafley - Defensive Coordinator, Green Bay Packers
If Cincinnati decides it’s time for a philosophical shift - moving from an offensive-minded head coach to a defensive one - Jeff Hafley is a name to watch. The Packers DC has quickly become one of the hottest names in coaching circles, and for good reason.
Hafley’s rise has been impressive. After a stint as head coach at Boston College, he’s now orchestrating one of the most creative and aggressive defenses in the NFL.
His schemes are modern, flexible, and built around maximizing the strengths of his best players. He’s not just leaning on talent - he’s designing pressure packages and coverage disguises that keep offenses guessing.
And while Hafley is a defensive guy, that doesn’t mean he’d ignore the offensive side of the ball. In fact, his experience working in a Shanahan-style system under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay could help him build an offense that still plays to Burrow’s strengths. Think of it this way: Hafley could bring defensive toughness and discipline, while hiring a sharp offensive coordinator to collaborate with Burrow and keep the Bengals’ attack humming.
This kind of setup could be exactly what Burrow needs at this stage of his career - a head coach who challenges him from the other side of the ball, while still giving him autonomy and input on the offense.
Hafley has also been linked to other head coaching vacancies, including the Giants, but let’s be honest - the chance to work with Burrow is a whole different ballgame. If Cincinnati is serious about making a change, Hafley would be a strong candidate to lead a cultural reset.
3. Jesse Minter - Defensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers
Jesse Minter is another defensive coach who’s gaining momentum in the head coaching conversation - and if you’re looking for someone who brings both toughness and talent evaluation chops to the table, he checks a lot of boxes.
Minter followed Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to the Chargers, and he’s brought with him the same no-nonsense, results-driven approach that helped the Wolverines dominate the college landscape. In LA, Minter has helped build a defense that’s young, fast, and fundamentally sound - and he’s done it without the kind of elite resources other top units enjoy.
What makes Minter particularly interesting for Cincinnati is his background in player development and scouting. The Bengals have struggled to consistently hit on defensive draft picks in recent years, and their depth on that side of the ball has been exposed. Minter’s track record suggests he could help fix that - not just with scheme, but with personnel decisions as well.
And let’s not forget: Minter has already seen what Burrow can do up close. In a wild game last season, Burrow torched the Chargers for 356 yards and three touchdowns in a furious comeback attempt.
Minter admitted afterward that prepping for Burrow gave him “sleepless nights.” If he ever got the chance to coach him instead of scheme against him, you’d better believe he’d jump at it.
The big question with Minter would be who he brings in to run the offense. A Greg Roman-style, ground-and-pound approach wouldn’t fly with Burrow.
But Minter’s smart enough to know that. He’s worked with enough sharp minds to build a staff that fits the quarterback - not the other way around.
The Bottom Line
Zac Taylor’s future in Cincinnati is uncertain, and if the Bengals decide to make a move, they’ll have no shortage of compelling candidates. But the common thread here is clear: Joe Burrow.
He’s not just a franchise quarterback - he’s a magnet for top-tier coaching talent. Whether it’s an offensive mind like Klint Kubiak, a defensive strategist like Jeff Hafley, or a rising star like Jesse Minter, the opportunity to work with Burrow instantly makes the Bengals job one of the most attractive in the league.
Now it’s up to Cincinnati’s leadership to decide if it’s time to pivot - and if so, which direction they want to go.