6 head coach candidates on the shortlist if the Bengals replace Zac Taylor

Potential Bengals Head Coach Replacements: Darrin Simmons

Darrin Simmons isn’t an exciting hire, but in all honesty, he may be the most realistic if the Bengals move on from Zac Taylor. Mike Brown likes familiarity and Simmons certainly offers that, as he’s been with the organization since 2003.

Year in and year out, Cincinnati boasts one of the strongest special teams units, speaking to Simmons’ ability. The Bengals would get to keep their top-notch play in the third phase of the game while simultaneously being able to keep building the culture currently being founded.

Plus, there would be no transition period. There would be no delay in waiting for a playoff team to be eliminated from the postseason for a coach to become available. Simmons could quickly work to build an adequate staff, featuring a premier offensive coordinator and one of his top choices at the defensive coordinator spot. This is something Taylor never got the opportunity to do.

From there, a free agency plan to get Burrow the protection he needs would fall into place more quickly, increasing the chances that the front office gets the unit right next season.

It might not be the hire fans want, but it undeniably makes a lot of sense. Perhaps the Bengals can follow the Ravens’ footsteps and uncover the next great head coach that formerly headed a special teams unit.