Zac Taylor has one year to “figure this out”, says NFL exec
The defensive additions will need to yield results.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cincinnati Bengals went all in on defense in free agency (at least by the standards of this franchise). Even with the departure of Trey Hendrickson, they should be improved from last year thanks to the additions of safety Bryan Cook, edge Boye Mafe, and DT Jonathan Allen.
But, according to an anonymous NFL exec, that doesn’t mean Zac Taylor and his staff are safe. “They knew they had to fix some stuff on defense,” the exec told The Athletic ’s Mike Sando . “It looks like they are saying, ‘You guys have one year to figure this out .
Otherwise, we can get out of the coach’s contract. ’” And Taylor might not even be positioned to succeed, as the free agent moves aren’t all homeruns. Another exec Sando spoke with was critical of the Mafe signing, calling the former Seattle Seahawk “a DPR (designated pass rusher) who does not play the run at all.
” He added thatMafe won’t have as much support in Cincinnati, because, “in Seattle, it was more about rushing four as one. ” Further, the Bengals may have not gotten great value with Mafe’s deal. The exec believes Mafe is a lesser player than Malcolm Koonce, who the Las Vegas Raiders signed for nearly half the money.