The Cincinnati Bengals plan to hire a new defensive coordinator with Al Golden this week, yet the process has come under fire.
While Zac Taylor and the Bengals’ familiarity with Golden and vice versa is a good thing and might be the right fit right now, it’s hard to blame those onlookers who feel that the process itself was an issue.
Taylor and the Bengals, after all, like to stick with coaches they know and smaller coaching trees, as opposed to looking outside the organization. Golden had already coached in Cincinnati under Taylor, and the fact he’s still neighbors with Taylor is a talking point making the rounds.
RELATED: Orlando Brown Jr. provides injury update
It doesn’t help the perception of the hiring that the Bengals appeared to have one of the hottest coaching openings in some time on a likely Super Bowl contender, should the defense improve. Taylor and Co. responded by, at least publicly, interviewing just a few candidates, none of whom seemed to have an actual legitimate shot at the job, should Golden want it.
Hence, the long list of reactions, which, when summarized, amount to it could work out great, but the process was “same old Bengals.”
Al Golden hire: A
Al Golden hiring process: C-
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 22, 2025
Al Golden had a bigger impact on Cincinnati’s defensive success than I originally thought
Players love him. Let’s roll.
— Drake Burton (@bengalsdrake) January 23, 2025
I wonder if Al Golden asked during the interview, “What’s the plan with Trey?”
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) January 23, 2025
This will come across as negative and I’m sorry. I’m rooting hard for Al Golden. We need him to succeed but the Athletic article from PDJ made me cringe a little.
He was obviously the only candidate. It’s a big leap of faith for ZT. Golden’s success or lack of will play a big…
— Maan Aboulhosn (@TheFireMaan) January 22, 2025
Takeaways from the Al Golden hire:
1. Talent gap will not be an excuse if the defense does not perform – Joe Burrow is in his prime and Zac Taylor’s job is on the line – he must produce results.
2. The organizational familiarity is a plus and a minus. Understanding the way the…
— Bash (@bengalsbash) January 23, 2025
