Rapoport: Bengals 'Will Hire' Zac Taylor as New Head Coach After Rams' Season

The Cincinnati Bengals will reportedly name Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor their head coach whenever the Rams' season ends, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

Per that report, the Bengals have been "sticklers for the rules" and have had "very little contact" with Taylor about the position. Rapoport added that the Bengals "may not have even officially told him he's getting the job, but it is expected to happen."

Taylor, 35, started his NFL coaching career with the Miami Dolphins (2012-15), serving one season as an assistant quarterbacks coach before taking over as quarterbacks coach for three seasons. He was also named the interim offensive coordinator in 2015.

He was then the Cincinnati Bearcats' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2016 before he was hired by the Rams. He served as an assistant wide receivers coach in 2017 and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2018 after Greg Olson vacated the position and took over as the Oakland Raiders' offensive coordinator. 

Under Taylor's guidance, quarterback Jared Goff had his best season in 2018, posting career highs in yards (4,688), touchdowns (32) and completion percentage (64.9).

It's less clear who Taylor might be working with at quarterback in Cincinnati. Andy Dalton has cap hits of $16.2 million and $17.7 million over the next two seasons, and the 31-year-old has regressed in the past two seasons and missed five games in 2018. 

How the Bengals address the quarterback position, if they do at all, will play a huge part in Taylor's tenure in Cincinnati (assuming he indeed takes the job). The Bengals will likely give Dalton another shot, given his team-friendly contract, though it wouldn't be surprising to see the club look for a young option in the draft.