The Cincinnati Bengals end their season 6-11. It is the third season in a row that they have failed to reach the postseason. The issue the past two years has been mostly Joe Burrow’s health and a terrible defense that has had one of the worst two-year runs in NFL history.
The question would be easy for any other franchise, seemingly, if head coach Zac Taylor were returning. However, the Bengals aren’t known to cut ties with head coaches willy-nilly. Marvin Lewis is the major example because, well, he coached the team for 16 seasons and was the head of essentially two reboots where he got to hire new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
Dick LeBeau was the head coach prior to that, and he coached three seasons with a 12-33 record. Taylor’s 52-62 record is also aided by ending a nearly 30-year stretch without a playoff win and taking the Bengals back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 80’s.
At some point, though, you have to wonder how much of that was him and how much was it Burrow and having a decent defense? You also can not ignore Duke Tobin in this, who operates as a major part of the front office, but it is far more likely we see Taylor gone than Tobin.
Realistically, Taylor will be here next year, but maybe we could actually see this team make a catalytic change for once instead of wasting another year of Burrow’s prime with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Come chat about it all in today’s open discussion post!
Here is today’s News
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals’ consensus MVP this season, appeared to end his year on the highest of notes when he caught quarterback Joe Burrow’s four-yard touchdown pass with 72 seconds left to give the Bengals an 18-17 lead.
Everything the Bengals Said after Week 18 against the Browns
“It’s tough. It was a strange game, obviously. To give them 14 points … I felt like we had pretty good control in the game and had a chance, really, to create a lot of separation, and then we gave them 14 points. The defense gives up six total — two field goals — and that’s got to be enough to win. You know, you just look at (how) the little things just got us. We missed two extra points. We had two turnovers for touchdowns, and then they had a two minute drive to win the game. It’s just frustrating. It’s just frustrating — that’s the biggest thing. And we just weren’t able to finish it in some area (to) finish that game and find a way to get a win.”
’The Cincinnati Bengals select…’: Top of the NFL Draft order set
The last time Cincinnati picked in the top-10 the selection was wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. It’s expected the franchise turns to the defensive side in the first round in April.
QB Joe Flacco appreciative of his chance to play for the Bengals
“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”
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