Main Photo: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lack of Defensive Talent Is Derailing Another Bengals Season

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Will Koshover | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 3:35 PM ET

The worst loss of the Zac Taylor era took place on Sunday at the hands of the New York Jets, 39-38. The Bengals were in control for three quarters until disaster struck in the fourth quarter as the Jets scored touchdowns on their final three possessions and added a go-ahead two-point conversion to stun Cincinnati at home. Defensively, Al Golden’s group has been an embarrassment, allowing 27 points in seven games this season. They consistently miss tackles, use poor angles when defending, and they can’t stop the run or rush the passer. If this wasn’t bad enough, there’s no influx of talent coming in 2025 to save them. Taylor and Golden have a tough job in front of them to right a sinking ship with nine games left, with the only silver lining being how dreadful the rest of the AFC North is at the moment.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden looks on from the sideline in the second quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

Lack of Defensive Talent Is Derailing Another Bengals Season

Wasted Draft Picks

De facto General Manager Duke Tobin has spent the last four seasons trying to bolster the defense. In that span, he’s drafted 10 Top 100 picks on defense, tied for the most in the NFL (Eagles, Cardinals). This unit currently ranks dead last in yards allowed/game and tied for last in defensive EPA/play allowed, and it’s a direct reflection of missing on so many selections that have repercussions for the entire franchise. The picks include Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, Zachary Carter, Myles Murphy, DJ Turner, Jordan Battle, Kris Jenkins, McKinnley Jackson, Shemar Stewart, and Demetrius Knight.

Scapegoat of Anarumo

The front office allowed Taylor to fire Lou Anarumo this offseason, as he’s currently making this decision look foolish, leading the Indianapolis Colts’ defense and helping them to a league-best 7-1 record. It was obvious in the moment that Anarumo was being used as a scapegoat for the lack of defensive talent. The Brown and Blackburn families will only allow you to axe several coaches once, and Taylor might truly be on thin ice as his support in the locker room seems to be fading.

Communication Issues

Perhaps the most baffling aspect of the state of the defense is the lack of communication among the players, which is somehow worse than last year. They often sub late in the play clock, have trouble with simple things like lining up properly, and the secondary has miscues with reads that are leaving pass catchers wide open with plenty of room to run.

Communication in coverage is still bad pic.twitter.com/1HvFlpPmvk

— mike (@bengals_sans) October 27, 2025

It was reported that the Bengals had a players-only defensive meeting on Monday as the team prepares for the Chicago Bears. This is never a good sign, and it’s especially egregious considering Golden is only eight games as a DC. We’ll see if talk is cheap in a must-win game the first week of November.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: