Cincinnati Bengals’ patience with Zac Taylor’s rebuild pays off

Whatever happened to the idea of a “rebuild?” Nothing according to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zac Taylor was given the time to complete a rebuild of the roster and culture. The patience given to Taylor has paid off this year.

Look for other teams to emulate that.

Secret recipe for Zac Taylor and Cincinnati Bengals

In his first year, Taylor knew he had something but the secret recipe was not quite right.

In year two, some thought his restaurant would fail but Taylor knew what he had was going to succeed. He just needed more time so that others would see it as well. He stuck with the recipe and the people around him.

Now it is year three. The Bengals have made the playoffs and won a playoff game. The secret recipe and the restaurant have taken off. Now it’s all about where the restaurant goes from here.

Also, who will attempt to duplicate his secret chili recipe?

Not so secret anymore

It’s a copycat league. From worst to first. Whatever cliche you want to use. Look for teams, especially downtrodden franchises, to replicate what the Bengals have done. That is, of course, if teams think what Cincinnati has done is sustainable.

The Bengals organization constantly gets dragged. That dragging is often narrative-driven more than fact-based. Nevertheless, the perception is that the front office does not care about winning. That is an unfair assessment. They are not knee-jerk like most other teams. Another way to express that thought is they are patient.

Mike Brown and the Brown family were “bullish” on Zac Taylor and this coaching staff. Presently, that bull has grown its horns and other things If you’re a fan of the Wall Street Bull.

The Bengals brass did not give in to the calls of moving on from Taylor. They showed no signs of moving on from either of the coordinators. Now Brian Callahan has been mentioned as a head-coaching candidate.

Expect Callahan and Anarumo to hear their names circulate now that teams can begin interviewing candidates for head coaching vacancies.

Not so fast, my friends

The Bengals’ organization has stuck with this coaching staff even after very little success in the first two years. In doing so, the team showed patience in their young coach. Something that other teams do not do with new coaches.

Even Taylor acknowledged recently that this would be different with another team. In his post-game press conference, Taylor said, “We just owe so much to that man (Mike Brown) for being patient with us. Personally, if I’d coached at any other organization in football, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. In the third year. That’s the truth.”

Not every situation is the same. However, perhaps the trend of moving on from coaches after a year or two should not become the norm.

The Bengals have a solid foundation. Other teams around the NFL are going to notice and will try to emulate.

At least the teams who are patient enough to let the foundation set.

Maybe slow and steady does win the race. Or at least a division.

"Cincinnati Bengals: All-time passing leaders in franchise history"

Who Dey?!