Bengals fans Finally have a Reason to be Optimistic Again in Zac Taylor

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 06: Miami Dolphins interim offensive coordinator Zac Taylor looks on during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sun Life Stadium on December 6, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

At long last, Cincinnati fans have a reason to come out from under the rocks of mediocrity and be excited about the 2019 season.

After an excruciating month long wait, the Cincinnati Bengals have announced that Los Angeles Rams quarterback’s coach Zac Taylor will indeed be the next head coach of the organization.

Taylor is yet another example of a trend that is becoming quite popular in the NFL; a young, offensive-minded head coach. Taylor, 35, said today in a statement today “I am happy and fortunate to join the Cincinnati Bengals as head coach. This is a great organization with good people and a rich history, and I am excited to get started. I am looking to add to that history by setting high standards, and holding everyone here accountable to those standards. There is a lot of work to do, and this is Day 1. We’re going to attack every day with enthusiasm to get this team ready to go.”

CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Taylor will be joined by Brian Callahan, son of Bill Callahan and former Oakland Raiders quarterback’s coach. Callahan, 34, will serve as Taylor’s offensive coordinator. Jack Del Rio is amongst those rumored to be in consideration for the defensive coordinator job.

There are a number of reasons to be excited about the addition of Taylor to the organization. First is the ability to recognize league trends. Mike Brown has been heavily criticized by both the mainstream media and myself for being far too complacent and willing to accept mediocrity. Hiring Taylor shows that he is willing to go with the current flow of the league, and risk handing over his roster to a younger coach, which is inherently riskier than hiring a proven veteran head coach.

Another reason why I believe Taylor is a good hire is relatability to players. It is well known that Marvin Lews was well liked in the locker room, so it was smart to replace him with a younger coach, who will most likely be easier for the players to relate to. Hiring a veteran coach who likes things done his way, such as Mike McCarthy, would have been a bad route for Cincinnati to go down, as an already unruly lockerroom could descend into madness should there be any friction that they are not accustomed to.

More than anything, Bengals fans will be happy to see something new out of their organization. New plays, a new scheme, a new mindset, these are all things that the fanbase has been starved of over the last 16 years. The addition of such a young head coach immediately puts fans and players alike on notice that everything is subject to change now, including positions, roles, and even roster spots.

I am very excited at the prospect of having an offensive-minded head coach. While there is still a place for defensive minds in the NFL, it will be a refreshing change from the Marvin Lewis era. Whatever Taylor decides to do with the roster and the team moving forward, Bengals fans around the world can finally take a deep breath and relax. A new era of Bengals football has arrived.

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