Introduction: The Question That Won’t Go Away

When discussing the Cincinnati Bengals over the past several years, one topic sparks endless debate: the role of head coach Zac Taylor compared to the influence of superstar quarterback Joe Burrow. Taylor’s tenure has been defined by dramatic swings, ranging from abysmal seasons at the start to Super Bowl contention. But beneath the surface lies a polarizing question: Would Zac Taylor even still have a job without Joe Burrow carrying him?

This question isn’t just about one coach and one quarterback. It goes to the heart of how we evaluate NFL leadership, accountability, and the delicate balance between talent and coaching. To answer it, we need to examine Taylor’s record, Burrow’s transformative presence, and how their careers have intertwined.

Zac Taylor’s Rocky Start

Before Joe Burrow set foot in Cincinnati, Zac Taylor’s coaching career was hanging by a thread. Hired in 2019, Taylor was a young, unproven offensive mind plucked from Sean McVay’s coaching tree. The Bengals were seeking a modern identity, but what they got in Taylor’s first two years was anything but inspiring.

In 2019, the Bengals finished 2–14, the worst record in the NFL. The offense was stale, the defense uninspired, and the team showed little progress throughout the year. Taylor’s leadership came into question, with critics suggesting he was in over his head. The following year, 2020, offered only marginal improvement at 4–11–1, and once again Cincinnati was viewed as a team adrift.

By the end of two seasons, Zac Taylor had accumulated a 6–25–1 record. Under most circumstances, those numbers would end a coaching tenure. Yet Taylor survived, largely because the Bengals had just drafted Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. The hope of Burrow’s development gave Taylor more time than most coaches would ever receive.

Joe Burrow’s Arrival: A Franchise Savior

From the moment Joe Burrow arrived, the energy surrounding the Bengals shifted. Even during his rookie season in 2020, before his devastating knee injury, Burrow displayed the qualities of a generational quarterback: accuracy, poise, leadership, and an uncanny ability to elevate teammates.

Despite the team’s struggles, Burrow gave the Bengals legitimacy. National attention turned toward Cincinnati, not because of Zac Taylor’s schemes, but because of Burrow’s talent and charisma. While Taylor’s record remained poor, ownership seemed convinced that his relationship with Burrow was reason enough to keep him in place.

It’s impossible to overstate how much Burrow’s arrival stabilized Taylor’s job security. Without a player of Burrow’s caliber, Taylor’s first two years almost certainly would have led to a firing.

The Breakthrough: 2021 and Beyond

Everything changed in the 2021 season. Healthy again, Burrow led the Bengals to an improbable Super Bowl appearance, shocking the NFL world. Cincinnati transformed from an afterthought into a powerhouse, and suddenly Zac Taylor’s name was tied to success rather than failure.

But was the transformation about Taylor’s coaching genius, or was it almost entirely due to Burrow’s brilliance?

When examining the Bengals’ run to the Super Bowl, what stands out is Burrow’s ability to thrive under pressure. He delivered clutch throws behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. He elevated weapons like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd into one of the league’s best receiving corps. Taylor’s play-calling was at times conservative and predictable, yet Burrow bailed him out with improvisation and confidence.

The following year, 2022, brought further evidence. The Bengals once again reached the AFC Championship Game, proving they were not a one-hit wonder. But again, much of the credit went to Burrow, who by then had solidified himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Taylor, while receiving praise for the team’s resilience, continued to face criticism for lack of offensive creativity and questionable in-game decisions.

The Coach vs. The Quarterback

The dynamic between Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow is fascinating because it highlights the eternal NFL debate: how much of success belongs to the coach versus the quarterback?

Taylor’s defenders argue that he deserves recognition for fostering a strong culture. Players often praise the locker room environment and Taylor’s leadership off the field. His even-keeled personality may not excite fans, but it resonates with players. He has also overseen Burrow’s transition from college star to NFL leader, ensuring that the franchise stayed aligned around its quarterback.

Critics, however, maintain that Burrow is the true architect of Cincinnati’s success. They point to Taylor’s early failures, his questionable game management, and his reliance on Burrow’s brilliance in high-pressure moments. Without Burrow, they argue, Taylor’s shortcomings would have been fully exposed.

The Hypothetical Without Burrow

So what if Joe Burrow never came to Cincinnati? Imagine the Bengals drafting a different quarterback in 2020, or worse, missing entirely. Based on Taylor’s first two years, it’s difficult to imagine him lasting beyond a third season. Ownership might have moved on, seeking a more experienced coach to rebuild the franchise.

Without Burrow, Taylor’s record could have mirrored the fate of other failed coaches from the McVay tree. His offenses likely would have remained among the league’s worst, his defenses middling, and the Bengals still trapped in irrelevance. In short, without Burrow, Taylor probably would not still have a job today.

Burrow’s Absence and Taylor’s Exposure

The 2023 season gave us a glimpse of what life without Joe Burrow looks like for Zac Taylor. With Burrow limited by a calf injury early in the year and later sidelined with a wrist injury, the Bengals struggled to find rhythm. Backup quarterbacks could not replicate Burrow’s leadership or execution, and suddenly Taylor’s schemes looked far less effective.

This raised a red flag: if Taylor’s system only functions with an elite quarterback, then how much credit should he truly receive? Coaches like Andy Reid or Kyle Shanahan design offenses that elevate whoever plays under center. With Taylor, the opposite seems true—his offense depends heavily on Burrow’s presence.

The Case for Taylor’s Value

To be fair, dismissing Zac Taylor entirely would ignore some important context. Coaching in the NFL is not just about drawing plays; it’s about culture, relationships, and belief. Taylor has built an environment in Cincinnati where young stars thrive. Players respect him, the front office trusts him, and continuity has allowed the Bengals to grow steadily.

Furthermore, while Burrow is undeniably the centerpiece, Taylor’s decision to empower Burrow and trust him in big moments deserves recognition. Some coaches suffocate their quarterbacks with rigid systems. Taylor, for all his flaws, has embraced Burrow’s improvisational style. That partnership has produced real results.

The Reality: A Symbiotic Relationship

Ultimately, the truth lies somewhere between the extremes. Yes, Joe Burrow is the engine that drives the Bengals, but Zac Taylor has played a part in keeping that engine running smoothly. Without Burrow, Taylor likely would not still have a job. But without Taylor’s steady presence, Burrow’s rise might not have been as seamless.

The relationship is symbiotic—Burrow masks Taylor’s weaknesses, while Taylor provides Burrow with a supportive platform. The problem for Taylor is perception: when success comes, Burrow receives most of the credit, and when struggles occur, Taylor shoulders most of the blame.

Conclusion: The Job Security Question

So, would Zac Taylor still have a job without Joe Burrow? The honest answer is almost certainly no. Taylor’s early record and offensive struggles showed little evidence of long-term potential. Burrow’s arrival changed everything, transforming both the team and Taylor’s reputation.

At the same time, the NFL is about results, and Taylor has delivered them—albeit with the help of a generational quarterback. He may never be hailed as a strategic mastermind, but as long as Burrow is healthy, Taylor’s job is safe.

Still, the lingering question remains part of Taylor’s legacy. Every win, every playoff run, every Super Bowl appearance will carry an asterisk in the minds of some fans: Is this Zac Taylor’s doing, or is Joe Burrow carrying him? Until Taylor proves he can win without Burrow, the doubt will never fully disappear.