Bengals, Nick Saban Connection Emerges in Stunning Suggestion
The 2025 NFL season has begun with training camp and the Cincinnati Bengals will be an interesting team to watch. After missing the playoffs last season, there is a sense of urgency surrounding the franchise.
Should the Bengals miss the playoffs once again this season, some major changes could come next. Zac Taylor, the team's head coach, is likely facing some pressure heading into this year. His job could very well be on the line.
Joe Burrow played at an MVP level last season. That wasn't enough to lift Cincinnati into the playoffs. Moving forward, the team will have to figure out how to get back to being a Super Bowl contender like it was just a few short years ago.
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Taylor may not be on the "hot seat," but he isn't completely safe either. If the team comes up short of expectations, could the Bengals look to bring in a new head coach?
Read more: Steelers' DK Metcalf Puts NFL on Notice With Bold Warning
With that being said, who could the team look to replace Taylor with?
A shocking suggestion has been made. That suggestion is none other than legendary college football head coach Nick Saban, who has started coming up in rumors about a potential return to coaching in the NFL.
Nick Wright, a notable sports analyst, spoke out and revealed that he believes Cincinnati would be a potential destination for Saban.
"I'll throw a different one at you that is same state, different team. If this coming year goes the way I think it might for Cincinnati, I think Nick Saban is an interesting idea there," Wright said. "Listen, got to coach up the defense, got to have someone to actually have as big of a voice in the organization as the owner, got to clean up some of the nonsense going in the years they deal with every year, again, most of which is owner-related. And let Joe and Jamar handle the offense. Almost offload the offense to them."
He continued on, sharing his belief that Saban would want to join a team that can compete right away after taking over.
"You handle the details, finding some of the edges in young players from the college game that you're very aware of their skillset, and coach up the defense. Because the only point that you made that I disagree with is, if I'm Nick Saban and I want to do this, I'm not that interested in a studs-to-the-top-down rebuild. I'm much more interested in, I've got three or four years. Let me see if I can have a contender immediately. I think the Bengals who, if they miss the playoffs again, probably will be looking for a new coach. I think they could be an attractive one."
Read more: Cleveland Browns May Have Their Next Baker Mayfield
Saban put together an elite college football coaching career. However, his two years in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins did not go well.
He may not choose to return to coaching. But, if he does, he might have interest in heading back to the NFL and proving to himself that he can succeed at that level as well.
In that scenario, the Bengals could be one of the best possible landing spots for Saban.
For more Cincinnati Bengals and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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