Pro Football Rumors
The Bengals will have stability on the sidelines and in the front office for 2026. Head coach Zac Taylor and player personnel director Duke Tobin are officially safe.
“Our focus is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level, with the goal of winning championships,” a statement from owner Mike Brown reads. “After thoughtful consideration, I am confident that Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor are the right leaders to guide us forward. They have proven they can build and lead teams that compete for championships. We trust their plans and expect to return to our desired level of success.”
The possibility of major changes was raised in the midst of Cincinnati’s mid-season slump. Toward the end of the campaign, however, it appeared as though both Taylor and Tobin were no longer in danger of being dismissed. Today’s news offers confirmation on that front.
Quarterback Joe Burrow has drawn plenty of attention with his recent comments on his future given his track record of making his opinion known for several high-profile roster decisions. He has shown full support for Taylor, something which has no doubt helped contribute to this decision. The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reports a group of players offered an endorsement over the past week or so for keeping the 42-year-old in the fold.
2025 marks the third season in a row in which Cincinnati has fallen short of the postseason. Taylor’s first two campaigns resulted in a total of six wins, but the decision to retain him proved to be worthwhile. The Bengals reached the Super Bowl during his third season at the helm. That was followed by a trip to the AFC championship game. Since then, however, shortcomings on defense along with Burrow injuries have proven to be highly problematic.
More to come…
