Bengals Set to Run It Back Despite Missing Playoffs Again - Will Stability Pay Off?
For the third straight year, the Cincinnati Bengals will be watching the playoffs from home. And yet, all indications are that the organization plans to stay the course - keeping the same leadership group in place, from the front office to the sideline.
Head coach Zac Taylor, now in his seventh season at the helm, is expected to return in 2026. While the team hasn’t publicly confirmed it, reports suggest Taylor quietly signed a contract extension after the 2022 season that runs through 2027.
When asked directly about that report on Dec. 17, Taylor declined to comment, saying, “I’m not going to respond to that.”
That silence speaks volumes. Historically, Bengals ownership - led by team president Mike Brown - has been reluctant to make coaching changes when there are multiple years left on a contract. That trend appears to be continuing.
Director of player personnel Duke Tobin, a key architect of the Bengals’ roster, also appears to be firmly entrenched. According to reports, Tobin’s job security has not been in question internally, even amid a disappointing season.
And while the Bengals’ defense has taken a significant step back this year, there’s no strong indication that defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the chopping block either. If Taylor returns, it’s highly unlikely he’ll make a major shakeup on the defensive staff.
So what does that mean for Bengals fans? It means another offseason of continuity - the same decision-makers, the same leadership voices, the same overall direction. The Bengals are betting that this group, which led the team to a Super Bowl appearance just a few seasons ago, can get things back on track.
But it’s a gamble - and a big one.
Cincinnati is deep into the prime years of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Another losing season during this window could be costly, not just in terms of wins and losses, but in the long-term trajectory of the franchise.
To his credit, Taylor hasn’t ducked responsibility for the team’s struggles. Speaking on Dec. 17, he was blunt about his role in the Bengals' underwhelming season.
“I haven't done a good enough job,” Taylor said. “I understand that.”
He added, “I’ve got my hands all over this thing,” taking full accountability for the team’s performance.
And the numbers back up just how far things have fallen - especially on defense. After parting ways with longtime defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Bengals have slipped to the bottom of the league in key defensive metrics.
They currently rank dead last in both points allowed per game (31.2) and yards allowed per game (403.8). That’s a steep decline from already troubling numbers last season, when they finished 25th in scoring defense.
So if the Bengals are indeed running it back with the same leadership, the big question becomes: are they willing to evolve?
Taylor insists the answer is yes.
“Everybody is always open to evolving,” he said. “I can't speak for everybody, but I know just from dealing with everybody in this building, everyone wants to win and do everything it takes to win… I feel extreme confidence that we are all on the same page.”
Still, the silence from other key figures - especially Tobin - has been noticeable. Despite requests from local media to hear from him during the team’s bye week in November, Tobin has yet to speak publicly about the season’s disappointing outcome. Until he or ownership addresses the situation, Taylor’s voice is the only one fans have heard.
Taylor continues to emphasize unity within the organization, saying that he, Tobin, and ownership are aligned on the path forward.
“All we want to do is win and bring championships here to Cincinnati, and we'll do whatever it takes,” Taylor said. “To put in specific words on how that's going to look, that's all for us behind the scenes to work through… But I have absolute confidence that we have the right people and the right setups to make this happen, because we've proven it, and we'll prove it again.”
That’s the bet the Bengals are making - that the same leadership group who built a Super Bowl contender can do it again. But with Burrow and Chase in their prime, and a defense in disarray, the margin for error is razor thin.
The pieces are still there. The question is whether the Bengals can reassemble them in time to make another run - or if this offseason of continuity will be remembered as a missed opportunity.