Zac Taylor
Current holder: Zac Taylor
Quick Facts
- Role: Head Coach
- Team: Cincinnati Bengals (CIN)
- Current holder: Zac Taylor
- Record with Cincinnati: 19-16 when Burrow on field; 24-27 overall (past 3 years); 6-11 in 2025
- Playoff appearances: 2 AFC Championship games, 1 AFC title
- Coaching tree: see Coaching Trees
Background
Defensive-minded coach who has shown he can build strong offenses when given defensive support. Led teams to AFC Championship games early in tenure. Recently ranked 28th among NFL head coaches during 2026 offseason, though ranking was controversial given his prior championship success.
Scheme and Tendencies
Strong offensive coordinator; historically has relied on Joe Burrow and elite pass-catching talent (Chase, Higgins). Defense has been intermittent concern, with need for better depth and consistency on that side of the ball.
2026 Outlook
Entering a pivotal prove-it year after ranking 28th in 2026 offseason HC rankings (controversial given 2 AFC Championship games + 1 AFC title on resume). Bengals spent aggressively to cap this offseason, signaling organizational commitment to a championship push. "Happiest we've been in a long time," Taylor said post-draft. Track record suggests he can win when Burrow is healthy and defense has pulse; 19-16 when Burrow on field; must improve consistency and defense depth to sustain. Playoff drought (3 consecutive seasons) must end in 2026. (per Bengals' Zac Taylor Ranked Among NFL's Five Worst Head Coaches During 2026 Offseason) By early September, Taylor sat firmly on the hot-seat list. The Bengals have missed the postseason three straight years despite Joe Burrow's prime years slipping away. While injuries have contributed to the drought, the expectation is clear: a fourth consecutive playoff miss would invite serious discussion about Taylor's future in Cincinnati (per Which coaches are on the hot seat heading into the NFL season? Aaron Glenn of the Jets leads the list).
Recent News
- 2026-08-24 — The Next Generation of NFL Play Callers Is Here (The Next Generation of NFL Play Callers Is Here)
- 2026-07-24 — NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses (NFL Playcallers: Previewing Schemes of 2026 NFL Offenses)
- 2026-06-26 — Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season (Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season)
- 2026-10-05 — Which NFL Coaches Are on the Hot Seat and Why More Jobs May Open Than You Expect (Again) (Which NFL Coaches Are on the Hot Seat and Why More Jobs May Open Than You Expect (Again))
- 2026-09-22 — NFL head coach hot seat rankings: Jim Harbaugh on thin ice in Week 3 after Chargers'... (NFL head coach hot seat rankings: Jim Harbaugh on thin ice in Week 3 after Chargers'...)
- 2026-07-17 — What Matters For Tight Ends In Fantasy Football 2026: Yards Per Game Stands Above All (What Matters For Tight Ends In Fantasy Football 2026: Yards Per Game Stands Above All)
- 2026-10-14 — FAAB Waiver Wire Advice: Week 6 Fantasy Pickups (2026) (FAAB Waiver Wire Advice: Week 6 Fantasy Pickups (2026))
- 2026-10-06 — Week 4 Fantasy Football Injury Recap (Week 4 Fantasy Football Injury Recap)
- 2026-10-09 — Updates on Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins emerge during Bengals’ practice (Updates on Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins emerge during Bengals’ practice)
- 2026-10-10 — Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins' Questionable Tags Have the Bengals Holding Their Breath (Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins' Questionable Tags Have the Bengals Holding Their Breath)