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Should the Cincinnati Bengals follow the 49ers Rebuild Blueprint?

By Hunter Bittinger

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 28-25. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 28-25. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 10: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals calls out instructions during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 10: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals calls out instructions during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

The head coach is obviously a key component to any football team, especially a team looking to rebuild.

The Cincinnati Bengals have actually already followed the initial step to the 49ers rebuild plan this past off-season. The 49ers hired Kyle Shanahan off of an Atlanta Falcons staff that had just made a Super Bowl run. The Bengals followed suit when they plucked Zac Taylor from a Los Angeles Rams squad that surpassed all expectations and made it to the Super Bowl themselves.

The similarities don’t stop there. Kyle Shanahan’s supposed offensive genius began to be called into question when the team got off to a slow start, much like Taylor this year.

If the Bengals intend to follow the 49ers lead, they won’t panic and fire Taylor after one season. Rather, they’ll trust their initial judgment that he has what it takes to unlock Cincinnati’s offensive potential. More than that though, they’ll give Taylor control over what kind of personnel he wants so he can play to his liking and build the culture he desires.

Shanahan is evidence that the Bengals should show patience with their young coach. After seeing the San Francisco play-caller torch defenses all year long, every Bengals fan should remain hopeful that Taylor can follow his footsteps.

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