Bengals have gone from one of NFL's most disciplined teams to one of its worst

The Cincinnati Bengals have gone from one of 2025's best to 2026's worst in one critically avoidable category. 

Last season, while the Bengals were in the midst of "earning" a top-ten draft pick, head coach Zac Taylor received praise for the team's discipline.

For all intents and purposes, it would appear that discipline, like turnovers or last year's momentum, is not something that can be counted on from season to season.

Unfortunately, we are seeing that in a somewhat embarrassing fashion with Taylor's 2026 Bengals.  

Bengals’ 2025 discipline was something to marvel

In a Murphy’s Law-ish season, the Bengals’ discipline was something to admire, even though that did not translate into enough victories to go on a miraculous run to and through the playoffs. 

Last year, the Bengals were the second-least penalized team in the NFL. Only the 49ers were more "disciplined."

However, despite being the second-fewest-penalized team, Cincinnati had the 11th-most offensive presnap penalties. 

Despite its foibles, the defense had the fewest pre-snap infractions and penalties overall in the NFL. The Bengals' offense "outscored" the defense 46-26 in 2025.

Through three games in 2026, while the win-loss records are the same as last season, the oft-touted discipline of Zac Taylor’s team feels like a distant memory. 

Something happened on the way to Disciplineville in 2026

The tables have turned on Taylor and his team's discipline, as they have accumulated the most pre-snap penalties so far this season. 

The offense has incurred nine such infractions. Meanwhile, after only two presnap penalties all of last year, the defense has five through just three games. 

Furthermore, the Bengals are far from the least-penalized team, ranking fifth in that unfortunate category this season.  

Going from one of the least-penalized teams to one of the most in one season is an obvious source of frustration. We saw some of that frustration against the Steelers when the Bengals had to use a timeout after a kick return. 

That inexcusable lack of readiness, or as Taylor referred to it, “it was just my fault,” spilled out onto the field with Joe Burrow visibly frustrated with his sideline in a critical moment as the offense prepared to drive the field in hopes of getting a game-winning touchdown, or at least a field goal that would have sent the game into overtime. 

At least they didn’t get a delay of game or illegal substitution penalty, we suppose. 

Penalties are wiping out explosive plays from both sides of the ball.

Running back Chase Brown had a 26-yard run called back against the Texans due to an offensive holding call.

More recently, against the Steelers, Myles Murphy had a sack negated because of a foul.

Perhaps there will be more player-to-player discussions if penalties start costing their teammates stats and bonuses.

Phone a frenemy for help?

We are not sure what Taylor is doing differently, if anything, to influence the massive turnaround in increased penalties. 

Perhaps Zac Taylor could call the 49ers coaching staff. San Francisco was the only team that had fewer penalties than the Bengals last year. 

While they're dealing with power stations and injuries, the 49ers have the second-fewest presnap and fourth-fewest in penalties overall this season. 

With that as an unrealistic option, Taylor must get his team, especially the offense, his baby, to cease the nonsensical, avoidable, and potentially drive-debilitating penalties.  

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