The Bengals’ offense has drawn heavy scrutiny since quarterback Joe Burrow‘s injury. Things have not gone according to plan with Jake Browning under center, and a change could be coming soon. 
During each of the three games Browning has started, Cincinnati has scored only three points through the first three quarters. The team managed to score a trio of touchdowns late in Week 5, but on the whole significant improvement is needed moving forward. Efforts on that front will include head coach Zac Taylor continuing in his role as play-caller.
“I feel very comfortable,” Taylor said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “It’s a fair question. We score three points in three games in the first half. I totally understand that. But right now, it’s going to remain the same.”
Taylor arrived as head coach in 2019. The 42-year-old called plays on offense throughout that span despite a limited track record of doing so at the NFL and college levels. Coming off his time with the Dolphins (which included an interim offensive coordinator gig) and Rams (making him one of several Sean McVay assistants who have gone on to prominent offensive roles), though, it came as little surprise when Taylor took charge of the offense in Cincinnati. That unit has generally thrived when Burrow has been healthy, something which could be the case late this season after he recovers from toe surgery.
In the meantime, however, the Bengals’ playoff chances depend on steps forward being taken on both sides of the ball. The team sits near the bottom of the league in both points and yards allowed on defense, while finding offensive production has also proven to be a challenge. Cincinnati is averaging just 17 points and 246 yards per game, figures which will of course need to improve if an end to the team’s losing streak is to take place.
Efforts to make that possible could have included a change in play-calling responsibilities, something which Taylor’s former OC Brian Callahan recently moved forward with in Tennessee. In the case of the Bengals, however, the status quo will remain in place on the sidelines.