The Bengals’ offense has drawn heavy scrutiny since quarterback Joe Burrow‘s injury. Things have not gone according to plan with Jake Browning under center, and a change could be coming soon. 
During each of the three games Browning has started, Cincinnati has scored only three points through the first three quarters. The team managed to score a trio of touchdowns late in Week 5, but on the whole significant improvement is needed moving forward. Efforts on that front will include head coach Zac Taylor continuing in his role as play-caller.
“I feel very comfortable,” Taylor said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “It’s a fair question. We score three points in three games in the first half. I totally understand that. But right now, it’s going to remain the same.”
Taylor arrived as head coach in 2019. The 42-year-old called plays on offense throughout that span despite a limited track record of doing so at the NFL and college levels. Coming off his time with the Dolphins (which included an interim offensive coordinator gig) and Rams (making him one of several Sean McVay assistants who have gone on to prominent offensive roles), though, it came as little surprise when Taylor took charge of the offense in Cincinnati. That unit has generally thrived when Burrow has been healthy, something which could be the case late this season after he recovers from toe surgery.
In the meantime, however, the Bengals’ playoff chances depend on steps forward being taken on both sides of the ball. The team sits near the bottom of the league in both points and yards allowed on defense, while finding offensive production has also proven to be a challenge. Cincinnati is averaging just 17 points and 246 yards per game, figures which will of course need to improve if an end to the team’s losing streak is to take place.
Efforts to make that possible could have included a change in play-calling responsibilities, something which Taylor’s former OC Brian Callahan recently moved forward with in Tennessee. In the case of the Bengals, however, the status quo will remain in place on the sidelines.
I suspect this time next year Joe Brady will have them.
No no…. the Bengals embrace mediocrity
It’s only year one of fans calling for his head. In Cincinnatti, it takes at least half a decade for management to consider making a coaching move.
Zac Taylor is classic failing upward individual. Without Burrow, he’d be a high school offensive coordinator.
I’d argue that Eberflus was even worse in his time with the Bears.
These are my opinions and only mine Agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter to me.
Zac Taylor needs to be fired. He is incompetent. The Bengals have been winning in spite of him not because of him. If Joe Burrow was not the best QB on the planet Taylor would have been fired years ago. He stubbornly sticks to his preprogrammed game plan even if it’s not working. Burrow might back him publicly, but the look of frustration on his face when he comes off the field and doesn’t know the camera is on him says different. I really wish the Bengals would hire a head coach with a track record. Taylor was just the next apple on the Sean McVay coaching tree, but he was the little runty one with three worms in it. Burrow, Chase and Higgins deserve a coach who can maximize their potential, not call a pass play that nets 60 yards then call 3 running plays in a row that gain none. Taylor is either to dumb or to arrogant to let the offensive coordinator do his job. ” We’re not going to change the game plan for Browning” is the dumbest statement yet. Browning isn’t Burrow, never will be. Look at what Jacksonville has done with a new head coach, suddenly Lawrence looks like a world beater and might actually earn that 55 million a year. Burrow has had Taylor since he came into the league, why not give him a chance with someone who knows what they’re doing instead of keeping status quo with Homer Rice Jr.
Well said. Taylor seems to be tone deaf or as you say arrogant. If he has seen What the media is saying, he would see there is virtually 100% agreement that his play calling is unimaginative and predictable. His stubbornness seems to unwillingness of the front to change how they manage the organization.
Unimaginative and predictable play calling can work. Vince Lombardi would run the sweep almost every play in Green Bay…lol. Of course you couldn’t play for him unless you could execute the fundamentals flawlessly. The Bengals execution leaves a lot to be desired even when good plays are called.
“Does anyone else want to call plays???…
No?
Guess its still me I guess.”
-Zac