Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor speaks with media during the 2026 NFL Draft, Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati.
Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There is a sense of urgency surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2026 season. Bengals fans are hungry for some playoff success, especially after adding multiple defensive players this offseason. The expectations for the Bengals are becoming crystal clear just weeks before the regular season kickoff.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was asked about Joe Burrow's recent “now or never” comment. Taylor gave the expected answer from any NFL head coach in that situation.
“I just take it one game at a time,” Taylor replied, per Chatterbox Sports. “We're just going to keep working, try to be undefeated in the preseason and get better every single day we've got.”
Burrow was asked on August 20th if the 2026 season is a now-or-never year for the Bengals to win a Super Bowl. He simply replied that “that's how I'm treating it.”
Neither Burrow nor Bengals reporters were the first to suggest that Cincinnati is facing a “now or never” season. In fact, ESPN's Dan Graziano said that idea is not an overreaction during an article back in June.
It is easy to understand why there is such a sense of urgency around the Bengals right now. Cincinnati has missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, finishing 9-8 in both 2023 and 2024. The Bengals only managed to go 6-11 during the 2025 season.
Burrow is still 29 years old but will turn 30 during the regular season. Bengals fans seem to understand that Burrow's prime years will not last forever. So it is only natural to worry about squandering Burrow's prime after multiple disappointing seasons.
Taylor and GM Duke Tobin were not fired this January, but they are clearly on the hot seat. If the Bengals cannot make a vast improvement this fall, then both probably will be fired after the 2026 season.
That would not spell the end of Burrow's prime years with the Bengals, But it would certainly be the end to a significant chapter in the franchise's history.
Hopefully the Bengals can start the regular season on a hot streak for once.
Cincinnati opens the regular season with a home game against Tampa Bay on September 13th.