The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into a make-or-break season in 2026. Should the team come up short of expectations once again, major changes could be on the horizon.
Heading into the 2026 NFL offseason, there were many who felt that head coach Zac Taylor could be on the hot seat. Obviously, the Bengals chose to run it back one more year with him leading the way.
That being said, if Cincinnati can’t win this season, Taylor could be on his way out of town.
Who could the Bengals look to target as a Taylor replacement? There has been a lot of buzz and speculation about a very familiar face.
Bengals Could Force Steelers Into Nightmare Mike Tomlin Scenario
If Cincinnati is in the market for a new head coach next offseason, former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could make a ton of sense. Seeing Tomlin head to the Bengals would be a nightmare scenario for the Steelers.
The Spun’s Chris Rosvoglou is the latest to connect Cincinnati as a potential future landing spot for Tomlin.
“What was the biggest issue for Tomlin during the back half of his time in Pittsburgh? Their quarterback situation. What team has a superstar quarterback but lacks a competent defense? The Cincinnati Bengals,” Rosvoglou wrote.
“While we’re not sure if Tomlin is interested in facing the Steelers twice a year, the Bengals would be an excellent fit for him. After all, they’ve got a real game-changer in Joe Burrow.”
Rosvoglou also noted that the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could make sense for Tomlin as well.
Mike Tomlin Could Be the Answer the Bengals Need
Throughout his tenure as the head coach in Pittsburgh from 2007 through 2025, Tomlin was one of the most successful coaches in the NFL. He never turned in a losing season.
When all was said and done, Tomlin compiled an impressive 193-114-2 record. His 8-12 postseason record was a source of frustration from Pittsburgh fans.
Despite the lack of consistent playoff winning, Tomlin could be the guy to turn the Bengals around. He has been an elite franchise builder. Tomlin’s track record speaks for itself.
During his broadcasting of the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Tomlin dropped a hint about his potential coaching future.
“I haven’t thought a whole lot about it yet, because I don’t feel like I’m missing anything yet,” Tomlin said. “You know, when those regular-season balls start snapping, that’s when I’ll start, you know, getting a little twitch a little bit.”
All of this is speculation at this point in time. Tomlin may or may not want to get back into coaching next offseason. But, if he does, Cincinnati could make a lot of sense.
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