Bengals' Taylor, Tobin returning in 2026
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor will return in 2026, owner Mike Brown announced Monday.
Duke Tobin, Cincinnati's director of player personnel, will also be back. The 55-year-old has been with the Bengals since 2002 and is the Bengals' de facto general manager.
"Our focus is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level, with the goal of winning championships," Brown said in a statement. "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."
Taylor was hired in 2019 and has posted a 52-63-1 record in seven seasons. After going 6-25-1 in his first two campaigns, Taylor led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship Game the following year. However, Cincy has failed to make the postseason in three straight seasons and went 6-11 in 2025.
Joe Burrow, who was drafted first overall in 2020, has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. He started 35 games from 2023-25 and only suited up in eight contests this year due to a toe injury. He led the league in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) in 2024, but the Bengals went 9-8.
Burrow and star wideout Ja'Marr Chase have consistently voiced support for Taylor within the organization, reports The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
Defense has been the Bengals' primary issue over the last three seasons. They rank 29th in total EPA allowed during that stretch, according to TruMedia, and 32nd in yards per game. Taylor fired longtime defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo after last season, but the team continued to struggle in 2025 under Al Golden, allowing the third-most points per contest.
Taylor, 42, worked under Sean McVay in Los Angeles as the quarterbacks coach before joining the Bengals.