Bengals will face 6 teams with new coaches in the first 9 games of the 2026 season
The Bengals may have an advantage with a returning coach.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor will be entering his eighth season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. We already knew the Bengals would face new coaches in the AFC North, but there are other opponents with new head coaches leading their franchises this season. Week 3 will feature one of the new divisional coaches in Pittsburgh.
Mike McCarthy takes over for Mike Tomlin in 2026. McCarthy recently finished a 5-year stint with the Cowboys, going 49-35 during his time in Dallas. In Week 5, the Bengals will face off against the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins hired Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. This will be Hafley’s first time as a head coach in the NFL. After a bye in Week 6, the Bengals will travel to Baltimore for Week 7.
They will be facing first-time head coach Jesse Minter. Minter was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 8, the Bengals will welcome the Tennessee Titans to Paycor Stadium.