The Bengals have signed head coach Zac Taylor to a 5 year contract extension, locking him up through the 2026 season.
Cincinnati hired Taylor after they let go of their long time coach, Marvin Lewis, at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Taylor, at the time, was the QB coach for the Rams, and was fresh off a Super Bowl loss, when the Rams lost to the Patriots.
Taylor’s first season was one of the worst for the Bengals in recent memory. After a promising debut in Seattle, things fell apart quickly in the weeks that followed. The team finally picked up their first win late in the season over the Jets, with Taylor reinserting Andy Dalton into the starting lineup, after he had been benched for Ryan Finley. The Bengals would win one more game that year, the season finale over the Browns.
In 2020, massive changes were implemented. Starting QB Andy Dalton was released after the team drafted Joe Burrow with the top pic. And long time defensive standout Carlos Dunlap was traded mid-season after clashes with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
In his first two seasons, Taylor only managed to win a combined 6.5 games. They earned a second straight top pick, which they used to draft Ja’Marr Chase.
With Burrow returning off an ACL injury, the addition of Chase, as well as some great free agent signings, the Bengals looked to take that next step. Zac Taylor had the Bengals contending all throughout the season, and they eventually secured an AFC North title, winning 10 games. He helped the team carry that momentum through the playoffs, winning an AFC Championship and coming just short in the Super Bowl.
Taylor has had his highs and lows as a play caller. Needless to say, he had some questionable moments in the Super Bowl. That said, he has essentially been learning on the job over the past three years. The 38 year old is one of the youngest head coaches in the league, and you figure he will continue to grow into his role. Not to be overlooked, the new culture he has helped bring to this organisation is one that puts an emphasis on a team-first mentality and leadership.
The young coach is now locked up for another 5 years, and Bengals owner Mike Brown expressed his confidence in Taylor in his press conference, noting the foundation that he has built. Taylor will look to bring the Bengals back to the big stage after making it in year 3.
