Ranking Rams McVay among NFL head coaches (27-21)

23rd-ranked Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

Head Coaching Record: 2-14 (.125)

Cincinnati Bengals‘ head coach Zac Taylor was hired in 2019. He was given a honeymoon with the team, primarily with the intent on landing top-rated 2020 NFL Draft prospect quarterback Joe Burrow.  Now, with his quarterback in tow, the honeymoon is over. Time to get to work fellas!

Get to work indeed. After falling to the worst NFL record, the Bengals got exactly what the team was aiming at, the top pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. The key right now is to build a positive attitude among the players, ensure their buy-in for what the coach has planned for 2020 and beyond, and ensure execution. That’s a tall order for a second-year head coach, a rookie quarterback, and practically every aspect of the team in need of getting better. Nowhere else to go but up, right?

Slow progress is still progress

Even if the Bengals improve to 4-12, that doubles their wins from 2019. That should be enough to keep Taylor on for another season. The team added Burrow, and then another weapon at receiver in Tee Higgins. I was mildly surprised at the Bengals not ensuring Burrow’s safety by upgrading the offensive line this year. Was that a GM or HC decision? In any case, it certainly restricts their upside this year.

The Bengals were the 26th-ranked offense and 29th-ranked defense in the NFL for 2019. They bring back running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Tyler Boyd, both boast 1000 yards for the team’s offense. Star wide receiver A.J. Green battled injuries for the 2019 season and is reluctant to sign the team’s franchise tag.  Right now, I don’t see Green as a player in the Bengal’s long term plans, so that could develop into a surprise trade.  Taylor needs players who believe in him and can build a team to win into the future.  Green is in win-now mode.