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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor will return next season even though the team missed the playoffs for a third straight year, the franchise announced Monday.
Taylor survived a league-wide coaching shakeup that left several head coaches unemployed, with Bengals executives offering a vote of confidence while acknowledging the season was “disappointing.”
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor speaks during a press conference after an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
“We entered the season with high expectations, having won four straight seasons with leaders in place that led us to a Super Bowl and two AFC Championship games. We know this season has been frustrating and disappointing,” Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement provided by the team. “The results have not been up to our standards, and missing the playoffs once again proves that there is still work to be done.”
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“Our goal is to build a team capable of consistently competing at the highest level, with the goal of winning championships. After careful consideration, I am confident that [director of player personnel] Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor are the right leaders to guide us. They have proven they can build and lead teams that compete for championships. We trust their projects and hope to return to the desired level of success. »
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Joe Burrow missed much of the season with turf toe, but managed to return after surgery. Yet for all their offensive talent, the Bengals finished on the road with a 6-11 record that was capped by a 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
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Asked after the game about conversations with the front office, Taylor remained tight-lipped.
“I’ll just keep this private.”
Taylor was hired by the organization in 2019 and has a record of 52-63-1. He guided the Bengals to the playoffs twice during his tenure, including two appearances in the AFC Championship Game and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor leaves the field during halftime of an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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“I have a lot of confidence in our coaching staff. I know these guys are working really hard to put us in a good position,” Burrow said after the final game of the season.
