In a jaw-dropping decision that has football fans buzzing, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is doubling down on his role as the team's offensive playcaller, even after a heart-wrenching three-game losing streak that has left supporters scratching their heads. This choice comes amid a storm of criticism and high-stakes drama in the NFL, where every call can make or break a season. But here's where it gets controversial—should a coach really wear two hats when the offense is sputtering? Stick around, because we're diving deep into the details, and this is the part most people miss: the human side of leadership in the face of failure.
I'm Ben Baby, your go-to reporter for all things Cincinnati Bengals at ESPN. I started with the company back in July 2019, bringing a wealth of experience from my time at various Texas newspapers, including my last stint at The Dallas Morning News where I focused on college sports. Nowadays, I deliver daily Bengals updates on ESPN.com, pop up on SportsCenter, contribute to NFL shows, and even chime in on ESPN Radio. Hailing from Grapevine, Texas, I hold a bachelor's in journalism from the University of North Texas. Plus, I teach as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University and proudly belong to the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
Here in Cincinnati, Bengals coach Zac Taylor has made it crystal clear that he's not handing over one of the most pivotal responsibilities on the team. On Monday, Taylor announced he'd keep his position as the offensive playcaller following the Bengals' third consecutive defeat—a 37-24 home loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. For context, a playcaller is essentially the strategist who decides what plays the offense runs on each down, drawing from game plans, player strengths, and real-time adjustments. It's a high-pressure job that can dictate the flow of the game, and for beginners in football, think of it like a chess master plotting moves against an unpredictable opponent.
The Bengals managed a mere 3 points in the first three quarters for the third week in a row, prompting Taylor to own up to his part in the team's woes. He emphasized that he'll continue juggling both head coaching and playcalling duties, a setup he's maintained since becoming the team's leader in 2019. 'I feel very comfortable,' Taylor shared. 'It's a fair question. We score 3 points in three games in the first half. I totally understand that. But right now, it's going to remain the same.'
This skid has unfolded without star quarterback Joe Burrow, who suffered a turf toe injury—essentially a sprain on the joint at the base of the big toe—during Week 2's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his absence, backup Jake Browning has taken the helm for the last three games, coinciding with the Bengals' worst offensive slump under Taylor's seven-year reign. To illustrate, in Sunday's game against Detroit, Cincinnati fell behind 28-3 at one stage before rallying with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to narrow the gap, showing a glimmer of fight but not enough to turn the tide.
Taylor explained that as playcaller, he leans heavily on input from his offensive team, treating their insights as crucial to success. 'I rely on them as much as I think any playcaller in the league relies on anybody else,' he noted. This collaborative approach is common in the NFL, where head coaches often handle both roles. But here's where it gets controversial—recent trends suggest splitting these duties might be smarter. For instance, Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan, who previously served as Taylor's offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2023, recently passed off playcalling to another staffer after a rocky start. The Titans bounced back with a 22-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, sparking debates about whether Taylor's stubbornness could be costing the Bengals.
After five games, the Bengals sit at 2-3, languishing near the bottom in key offensive metrics. They're 30th in points per drive (averaging just 1.52 points each time they get the ball), 31st in yards per play (a paltry 4.3 yards), and tied for 28th in offensive points per game (only 17). Taylor pinpointed areas for growth: 'Finding more opportunities for our playmakers to get the ball and finding ways to get them easy touches that they can lead to productivity in our offense,' he said. 'We haven't been productive enough. I don't worry about statistics right now. I care about wins.' This focus on practical improvements over raw numbers is a classic coaching mindset, but it raises questions—can ignoring stats really lead to victories when the scoreboard tells a different story?
While Taylor's playcalling role is set, the quarterback situation is still up in the air for Sunday's clash in Green Bay, where the Packers are 2-1-1. When pressed on whether Browning would start, Taylor indicated it would be decided in the coming days, ahead of Wednesday's practice. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher had an in-depth chat with Browning on Monday after the QB tossed three interceptions against the Lions, bringing his season total to eight. 'You want to see him have success,' Pitcher remarked. 'All at the same time, it's a results-based deal, and you know the play has got to be better. He knows that, and you just try to help him through it.'
Yet, Pitcher stressed that the offensive struggles aren't just on Browning's shoulders. 'We've got to be ready to play our best football,' he added. 'We, collectively, have not come close to doing that.' This team-wide accountability is refreshing, but it begs the question: if the issues run deeper than one player or coach, is Taylor's refusal to change his approach a bold stand or a risky gamble?
And this is the part most people miss—the emotional toll on a team in crisis. Coaches like Taylor aren't just strategists; they're motivators facing immense pressure. But here's where it gets controversial: in an era where specialization is king, is clinging to a dual role outdated? Some argue it fosters unity, while others say it spreads a coach too thin. What do you think—should Zac Taylor hand over playcalling to focus solely on coaching, or is his loyalty to the system the key to a comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint to add to the debate!
