Bengals' Zac Taylor Defends DC amid Player Criticism, Historic Defensive Struggles

Cincinnati Bengals fans might not want to hear it, but there will be no changes at defensive coordinator after Sunday's stunning 47-42 loss to the Chicago Bears.

In fact, head coach Zac Taylor defended DC Al Golden and said he "absolutely" believes the defense can turn things around for the stretch run of the season.

"Working like crazy," Taylor told reporters Monday. "He's a great football coach. He's doing everything he can to uncover every single stone to make us play better. I think we're all sick for the way these games have gone, him probably as much as anybody else on this planet. I trust in him, I trust in the staff."

Had Sunday's game been an aberration, Taylor's defense of Golden and the defense as a whole would be more understandable. But it was anything but an aberration, as the unit is off to a historically poor start in 2025:

While Golden was at Notre Dame in 2024, this is also more of the same from the Cincinnati defense considering the team missed the playoffs last season even though Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns while Ja'Marr Chase finished with the wide receiver Triple Crown of the most catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in the NFL.

With Burrow injured this season, the defensive issues are even more apparent.

And if running back Chase Brown's comments were any indication, the offense is getting frustrated:

There was not much more Cincinnati's offense and special teams could have done against the Bears. Joe Flacco threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns, Charlie Jones ran a kickoff back for a score, and the hands team recovered a late onside kick that set the offense up for a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute.

▶️ Full Bears-Bengals Recap

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But the defense still managed to lose the game when it gave up a 58-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Colston Loveland in the final seconds to ruin the Bengals' dramatic comeback.

Perhaps the changes will come at the end of the season if the struggles continue, but they aren't coming during the upcoming bye week.