Well now the season ended not as we would have liked but the Bengals made a late run for the post season winning their last 5 games of the season when they were sitting at 4-8 after a 44-38 home loss to the Steelers on Dec. 1. This was another season with a terrible start that saw the Bengals lose to the 4-win Patriots to begin the season then lost to the Chiefs by 1 and the Commanders by 5 to start 0-3. In their 7 of their 8 losses this year were only by a total of 23 points. The other loss was by 20 to the Eagles.

One of the things they need to address is the issue of getting off to a bad start in the first month of the season. In Taylor's 6 years now as the Bengals head coach they 46-52-1 overall. They are 38-31-1 in games started by Joe Burrow. However, in the first month (4 Games) they are in 6 seasons 8-15-1 and in the 5 years with Burrow starting the Bengals are 8-11-1. The last two seasons especially in which the Bengals failed to make the playoffs both years they were just 1-3 in their first 4 game each season.

Some things the Bengals need to address is a good d-lineman who is good against the run. We still need some offensive line help and also a couple more players on the defensive side of the ball. Finally, some things need to change with the Bengals pre-season preparation as it is evident what they have been doing has not been successful. As of this post the NFL has the Bengals with the #17 pick in the 2025 draft. 

I as being a lifelong fan am already looking forward to the 2025 season. However, we have one of the top 3 quarterbacks in the NFL and a top 3 wide-receiver and we need to start making deep playoff runs and another Super Bowl or two while these guys are still in their primes. The will have a fairly decent schedule. Besides their 6 AFC North games they will play the AFC East (4 games) NFC North (4 Games). The other 3 games based on the 3rd place finish in the AFC North will be against the Cardinals, Jaguars, and Broncos. I would think without any key injuries we could be around 12 wins. Go Bengals! WHO DEY!!

It is going to come down to coaching, defense, and the offensive line. The poor starts have to come to an absolute stop. I will always be a Bengals fan but change obviously has to happen. And the starters need to see more preseason action too.

9 hours ago, hrcarrier said:

It is going to come down to coaching, defense, and the offensive line. The poor starts have to come to an absolute stop. I will always be a Bengals fan but change obviously has to happen. And the starters need to see more preseason action too.

Very much agree with the final thought.  

Bengals fired the DC, LB, DL, and OL coach. 

13 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Bengals fired the DC, LB, DL, and OL coach. 

Offseason is off to a really good start!!

1 hour ago, futurecoach said:

Bengals fired the DC, LB, DL, and OL coach. 

From Reutes this morning:

The Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive line coach Frank Pollack on Monday. Defensive line coach Marion Hobby and linebackers coach James Bettcher were also fired Monday. Cincinnati finished the season 25th in total defense (348.3 yards per game) and tied for 26th in points allowed (25.5 per game).

These were moves that needed to be made. With that said I bet this decision also came from above Taylor. Basically putting it where we will give you a chance to fix this,  but you have to make changes if you are going to stay. 

I know Robert Saleh is going to be a name a lot of people mention. However, I would rather not get him. Only because he is a guy that is going to end up as a HC again rather soon, and possibly after just one year as the DC. I personally would like to go the route the Chiefs went. The Chiefs went and got an established DC in Stags that failed as a HC, and not really one of the guys that is even looked at much for HC jobs. The Chiefs being able to keep him all these years is a big reason for their success. 
 

So I would to see the Bengals follow a similar model. Get a DC that has a proven track record as a DC, but also may have already failed as a HC and probably wouldn’t be looked at much again even if successful as the DC here.  Plus I think the Bengals will want someone that keeps the defense as a 4 man front. Here is the list of guys that come to mind for me:

Dennis Allen

Matt Eberflus

Mike Zimmer 

Matt Stanley 

Al Golden (current Notre Dame DC) He we also here as an assistant during the Super Bowl year. The defense hasn’t been the same since he left. Also was a former HC in college. 
 

Out of this list, Dennis Allen would be the  number one option for me. 

Lou is a good coach and will land somewhere.  But I agree with him being let go.  The defense was consistently mediocre with flashes of really good play.  That side of the ball here needs a new voice.  Ideas to get more possessions for Burrow and the offense.

Really glad Pollock is gone.  The offensive line has been a joke for Burrows entire career.  Replacing him may be the single biggest hire this off season.

1 hour ago, theguru said:

But the guys love him…

10 minutes ago, mcpapa said:

But the guys love him…

Loving things that are bad for you is a common problem in life. 

3 hours ago, theguru said:

His defenses have always been a big bend but not break type of defense. So they would always give up yards, even during the two years with playoff runs. The big thing his defenses did during those runs though was create turnovers. Very similar to the defense the last month. They still weren’t stopping people much, but were creating turnovers which helped finish strong. 
 

I always feel bad for the people that lose their job. With that said a change needed to be made. You couldn’t just run it back again after the failure this year was. 

2 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

His defenses have always been a big bend but not break type of defense. So they would always give up yards, even during the two years with playoff runs. The big thing his defenses did during those runs though was create turnovers. Very similar to the defense the last month. They still weren’t stopping people much, but were creating turnovers which helped finish strong. 
 

I always feel bad for the people that lose their job. With that said a change needed to be made. You couldn’t just run it back again after the failure this year was. 

What do you think about Robert Saleh as our new DC?

22 minutes ago, theguru said:

What do you think about Robert Saleh as our new DC?

I kind of addressed that in a post a few hours ago on here lol. I think he would do a great job, the main downside with him is I think he will be here only a year. He is still someone that will get another chance as a HC soon. I want someone established but also will be here for awhile and not looking for a new dc again in a year.