Former Bengals coach is more than willing to help Zac Taylor find a new defensive coordinator

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is a bit more experienced now compared to the last time he had to hire a defensive coordinator. Taylor and the Bengals are currently going through potential candidates for the position Lou Anarumo was fired from last week after Taylor hired him nearly six years last ago.

This has opened to door for one of Anarumo's predecessors, Mike Zimmer, to enter the conversation. Zimmer spent six seasons as Cincinnati's DC from 2008-13 and most recently coordinated the Dallas Cowboys' defense in 2024. 

It doesn't sound like Zimmer is a legitimate candidate this time around, but that hasn't stopped him from trying to help out.

While Zimmer confirmed to Cincy Jungle's John Acree that he hasn't heard from Taylor about the job's vacancy, he did reach out to Taylor to potentially help him with the search.

Although Zimmer confirmed that he has not spoken with Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor about the open defensive coordinator position in Cincinnati, he did text Taylor yesterday with an offer to help with the search for a replacement. - Cincy Jungle's John Acree

Zimmer still has a great relationship with Mike Brown and the team's ownership family. Along with working their for six years under former head coach Marvin Lewis, Zimmer's son, Adam, spent the 2013 season as the team's assistant defensive backs coach. This was long before Taylor replaced Lewis in 2019, but the sentiments have not faded away 11 years later.  

“They were really good to my son, and I would help [Taylor] any way I could,” Zimmer said.

Now 68 years old, Zimmer is reportedly contemplating retirement but is keeping all options on the table, including the continuation of his 45-year coaching career. His offseason home is about a 25-minute drive from Paycor Stadium. A return to the Bengals would be something he'd considered, but it's a two-way street and it doesn't sound like the team is interested in that route as of now.

That Zimmer is willing to help regardless speaks volumes.