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

New Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden arrives with some key strengths of his own. His predecessor, Lou Anarumo, had an almost uncanny ability to throw out a by-the-opponent amoeba defense and give quarterbacks as Patrick Mahomes fits.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Tayor has made his first hire since firing four coaches following the season. On Monday, the team announced Scott Peters as its new offensive line coach and Mike McCarthy as an assistant offensive line coach.

The Cincinnati Bengals made the hire of Al Golden as the team's new defensive coordinator official on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Zac Taylor fired Lou Anarumo immediately after the season and held a limited search in hiring his replacement. It was clear from the begining that Taylor wanted to hire Golden for the position.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shouts at an official as a replay runs on the video board in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned division familiarity as a criteria for DC, so Al Golden understands his challenge.

With the NFL conference championships set to take place this Sunday, here’s a look at which of the four remaining teams carry former Bengals on their active rosters, Reserve/Injured lists, and practice squads.

Golden replaces Lou Anarumo, who led Cincinnati’s defense for six seasons. Anarumo was hired as the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator on Monday. Cincinnati ended the season on a five-game winning streak to go 9-8, but missed out on a playoff spot for the second straight year. A major reason for that was the defense.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced the hiring of Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday. Golden, 55, spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.

The Cincinnati Bengals plan to hire a new defensive coordinator with Al Golden this week, yet the process has come under fire. While Zac Taylor and

The Cincinnati Bengals address the team's need at defensive back with an intriguing selection in a recent mock draft.