Al

Golden

In other words, embattled DC Al Golden has survived. This seemed impossible in November, when the Bengals were putting up numbers that generated WOAT discussion in the field of defensive performance. Things did turn around a bit towards the end of the season. We can’t say we’re surprised that the Bengals retained Golden, because they are reluctant to make major changes to a fault, but it is definitely a bold move by Taylor to attach his coaching future to what happened to this defense in 2025.

In news that will surprise nobody who is familiar with the Bengals organization, Dehner also writes that there “is zero thought” that GM Duke Tobin’s job is in jeopardy and that “the most likely scenario” is that DC Al Golden gets another year as well while the Bengals retool their defensive personnel. Perhaps you think that firing the main architects after a disappointing year is warranted. The Bengals reject your reality and substitute their own.

Things played out for Golden and the Bengals as expected. Golden served as linebackers coach from 2020-2021 under former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo before taking the defensive coordinator gig at Notre Dame in 2022. Golden will attempt to revitalize a Bengals defense possessing few truly talented starters.

“Here’s the expected timeline,” Dehner Jr. writes, “Golden will spend today and early tomorrow wrapping things up at ND. Then Taylor looks to officially interview him Wednesday. From there, just what looks like an inevitable matter of when pen hits paper.” Patrick Graham was the other finalist for the job, and it appears the Bengals are leaning with Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. Golden was Cincinnati’s linebackers coach in 2020-2021 under Lou Anarumo before leaving for the job. He also was the head coach at Temple from 2006-2010, and Miami from 2011-2015.

According to Harris, those finalists are Raiders DC Patrick Graham and Notre Dame DC Al Golden, who Harris said he would “consider the favorite for the job at this juncture.” Golden worked with Bengals coach Zac Taylor in 2020 and 2021 as the team’s linebacker coach before leaving for Notre Dame, and has led one of the top defenses in the nation to a berth in the national championship game. Graham and his defense were one of the lone bright spots for the Raiders this season, as they ranked 11th in success rate allowed and 16th in EPA per play despite playing on a 4-13 roster that allowed the eighth most points per game. Harris said he believes the job will ultimately go to Golden, but we may need to wait until after next week’s championship game to know for certain.