Report: Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor 'Paused' Defensive Coordinator Search to Speak With Al Golden

Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t done much to hide their intentions when it comes to the team’s next defensive corodsintoer. The transparent, narrow search to fill the position has always obviously centered on Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden. Those plans took another step on Monday night.

Cincinnati has a prime candidate in Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was the club's linebacker coach in 2020 and 2021 under Taylor's staff. Just last night, Golden competed in the national championship against Ohio State. While Notre Dame lost to a buzzsaw of a Buckeyes squad, Golden's defense was remarkable this season.

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job has been open for more than two weeks now, but there hasn't been much movement on a possible hiring and now we know why: The team was waiting for Notre Dame to finish its season.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor now begins the hiring search for a new defensive coordinator after firing Lou Anarumo (and a handful of other coaches). While the top Bengals defensive coordinator candidates are major names, Taylor told reporters on Monday that many things will go into the hiring process.

Former Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is the other. The Notre Dame defensive coordinator is preparing for Monday night's National Championship Game against Ohio State. That's a big reason why the Bengals' search felt like it came to a halt earlier this week.