After finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Cincinnati Bengals are under immense pressure to deliver results.
Taylor’s head coaching run has seen flashes of brilliance, including a Super Bowl appearance in the 2021 season. However, recent inconsistency has raised questions about whether he is still the right person to lead the charge beyond 2025.
With a roster loaded with top-end talent and a franchise quarterback in his prime, expectations are higher than ever. If the Bengals fall short again, Taylor’s job could be on the line.
Bengals Offense Remains One Of NFL’s most explosive
Joe Burrow delivered a career-best performance in 2024, leading the league in completions, passing yards and touchdowns.
He posted a 70.6 percent completion rate and a 74.7 QBR, both personal highs. Ja’Marr Chase set franchise and league marks with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards and 17 TDs.
Tee Higgins was productive when healthy despite missing time with injuries, and second-year running back Chase Brown emerged as a dynamic weapon out of the backfield — especially as a receiver.
That said, the production on offense hasn’t led to consistent wins or playoff appearances. The Bengals continue to struggle in key areas like pass protection and run blocking. They finished 29th in pass block grade, 32nd in pass block win rate, and 30th in run block win rate.
Defensively, the Bengals were just as inconsistent. They ranked 25th in defensive EPA and 18th in points allowed. Cincinnati struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks and failed to get stops in high-leverage moments. The offseason did little to address these issues.
First-round pick Shemar Stewart is currently holding out, and the team added few proven playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. The lack of depth and impact talent puts additional strain on a roster already dependent on a few elite players to carry the load.
Taylor’s overall coaching record now stands at 46-52. While the 2021 playoff run bought him goodwill, the Bengals’ inability to build on that success has become a problem.
What’s Next?
Ownership has given Taylor time and continuity, but if Cincinnati misses the playoffs for a third straight year, a coaching change would be on the table. The window for this roster to compete for a championship is open now, and the pressure to capitalize on that opportunity is growing.
Tight end Mike Gesicki may also emerge as a viable low-end TE1 in the NFL.
The Bengals’ over-reliance on their offensive stars has left them exposed in areas like O-line depth and defensive consistency.
The Bengals enter 2025 with a projected win total of 9.5. While that reflects confidence in their offensive core, it assumes significant improvement in protection and defense that may not materialize.
A third straight nine-win season likely won’t be enough to secure Taylor’s future. The AFC North remains highly competitive, and Cincinnati’s margin for error is razor-thin. Simply put, they need legitimate results.
Taylor must lead the Bengals back to the playoffs in 2025. Anything less would represent another wasted campaign in Burrow’s prime and potentially bring the six-year head coach’s tenure to an end. The talent is there. The urgency is real. Now it’s about execution.
Zac Taylor To Face Make-Or-Break Year For Bengals