T
he 2025 season has not gone according to plan for the Cincinnati Bengals. Starting the season off at 2-0, the Bengals then saw star quarterback Joe Burrow go down with a toe injury, putting the team in quarterback purgatory as struggles ensued. Now, even with Burrow back and healthy, the Bengals have failed to turn things around and are currently 4-10– and out of playoff contention for the third straight season. Once a Super Bowl team, the Bengals have since gone back to the mediocrity that has plagued the franchise for decades.
And since the team is struggling once again this season, it is very possible that the team fires head coach, Zac Taylor. Taylor, the head coach since 2019, has led the franchise to two deep playoff runs in the 2021 and ’22 seasons but overall, his tenure has been underwhelming– his career record with the Bengals is 50-61-1. If the Bengals do decide to part ways with Taylor, despite the team in clear rebuild mode, the NFL head coaching market could see a major shift according to Sports Illustrated.
Bengals are a ‘Market Shifter’ if Taylor is Fired
The Bengals may be a losing team with a defense that needs a major overhaul, but Burrow’s cemented status as the Bengals’ franchise quarterback makes the job a very attractive one. According to Sports Illustrated writer, Conor Orr, the Bengals’ job will jump up to the top job available if the team decides to go with new leadership.
“We’re looking at anywhere from five to nine openings across the league,” Orr said. “While the Giants may be the early favorite to be considered the top available job, many industry eyes are on the Bengals, where there is massive curiosity about whether Cincinnati will move on from Zac Taylor. The opportunity to work with Joe Burrow is a market shifter.”
Since the Bengals made him the first overall pick in 2020, Burrow has become a superstar in the NFL, earning two Comeback Player of the Year awards, two Pro Bowl selections and put together his best season as a pro in 2024 when he led the NFL in multiple passing categories. Combine Burrow with the talents of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals offense could be fun for any head coach candidate to work with.
Bengals’ Season at a Glance
The Bengals entered the year with high expectations for themselves but right off the bat, they experienced issues that caused their season to go off the rails. Starting with offseason contract standoffs with Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart, the Bengals dealt with multiple distractions during training camp leading into the season. Then the Burrow injury forced the Bengals to roll with Jake Browning before acquiring Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.
But the story of the Bengals’ season has been the struggles from the defense. Ranked at the bottom of the league in multiple categories, the defense has had a hard time against opposing teams, causing multiple late game collapses as well as being the reason why the Bengals failed to make the playoffs in 2024– despite MVP caliber seasons from Burrow and Chase. If Taylor is fired, the next head coach will be tasked with transforming the Bengals defense into a juggernaut.
Is Zac Taylor on the Hot Seat?