Why the Bengals Should Fire Zac Taylor

The Cincinnati Bengals have enjoyed moments of glory during Zac Taylor’s tenure, including a Super Bowl appearance and back-to-back AFC Championship berths. But peel back the surface, and Taylor’s shortcomings become difficult to ignore. His track record without Joe Burrow is dreadful, his teams repeatedly stumble out of the gate, and his game preparation has been called into question once again after Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bengals’ window to contend is open right now, but Taylor’s flaws could very well slam it shut. Let’s examine why the franchise should finally consider making a change.

Coaching Record Without Joe Burrow

Zac Taylor’s ability to win football games is almost entirely tied to Joe Burrow’s availability. With Burrow, the Bengals are legitimate contenders. Without him, they’re closer to the league’s basement than a playoff hunt.

• 2019 (before Burrow): 2–14, worst record in the NFL.

• 2020 (Burrow injured midseason): Bengals went 2–5–1 in games Burrow didn’t finish, ending 4–11–1 overall.

• 2023 (Burrow missed final 7 games): Bengals finished 3–3 down the stretch, respectable on paper but propped up by Jake Browning’s strong play rather than Taylor’s coaching genius.

• Overall Record Without Burrow: 7–22–1 (.250 win percentage).

For comparison, that mark is worse than some of the most maligned coaches in modern history. Taylor has not built a system that can keep the team competitive when Burrow isn’t available.

Unprepared in Big Games

Sunday’s loss to the Vikings was another glaring example of a recurring problem: the Bengals looking flat and unprepared in critical matchups. Cincinnati came into the game at home with playoff implications and yet looked outcoached from start to finish. Minnesota dictated tempo, exposed the Bengals’ predictable offensive patterns, and forced Cincinnati into playing catch-up before halftime.

For a team that’s supposed to be in win-now mode, this lack of readiness reflects directly on the head coach.

Early Season Struggles

One of Taylor’s most damaging patterns has been the Bengals’ repeated inability to start seasons strong. Since he was hired in 2019, Cincinnati has often stumbled in September:

• 2019: Opened 0–8.

• 2020: Managed just 2 wins by midseason before Burrow’s injury.

• 2021: Despite a Super Bowl run, dropped a winnable Week 2 game to Chicago and struggled with inconsistency early.

• 2022: Started 0–2, including an ugly home loss to the Steelers.

• 2023: Again started 0–2, buried in the AFC North standings before finding rhythm.

• 2024: Continued the trend with another sluggish September.

These early stumbles put constant pressure on the Bengals to dig themselves out late in the year, a dangerous habit that shortens their margin for error. Good teams start strong; Taylor’s teams routinely do not.

Offensive Stagnation and Predictability

Taylor was hired as an offensive mind, but his offenses rarely reflect innovation. Too often, the Bengals look unimaginative—relying on Burrow’s chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins rather than scheme. When Burrow isn’t on the field, the offense becomes one-dimensional, failing to lean on the run game or find creative ways to generate production.

Even in games with Burrow healthy, Cincinnati frequently opens games with sluggish, conservative play-calling, forcing Burrow to rescue the team in the second half. This isn’t sustainable championship football.

Why It’s Time to Move On

Zac Taylor has helped restore credibility to a franchise that once felt perpetually stuck in neutral. He deserves credit for the culture he’s fostered and the postseason run of 2021–22. But at this stage, the Bengals must ask themselves: is he the coach to get them over the hump?

His inability to win without Burrow, his pattern of poor starts, and the unprepared, flat performance against Minnesota suggest otherwise. With Burrow, Chase, and a strong supporting cast, the Bengals’ window is wide open—but Taylor may be the weak link preventing them from taking full advantage.

Conclusion

Zac Taylor’s Bengals have delivered excitement and memorable playoff moments, but the broader picture tells a different story. A coach who can’t consistently win without his quarterback, who fails to prepare his team for big games, and who repeatedly sabotages seasons with slow starts is not the coach to lead a championship-caliber roster.

Sunday’s uninspired loss to the Vikings should be the final straw. The Bengals need a head coach who maximizes their talent and raises the standard week in and week out. For Cincinnati to truly chase a Lombardi, Zac Taylor should no longer be the man in charge.