The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for a season that could give them a significant edge: stability at the top. While head coach Zac Taylor prepares for his eighth season leading the team, six of their first nine opponents will be breaking in new head coaches. That's a lot of fresh playbooks and unfamiliar systems for the Bengals to exploit.
The shakeup starts right at home in the AFC North. In Week 3, the Bengals will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have replaced the legendary Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy. McCarthy, fresh off a 49-35 record over five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, brings a wealth of experience but will still need time to build chemistry with his new squad.
Week 5 takes the Bengals to Miami to face the Dolphins and their new leader, Jeff Hafley. A former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, Hafley is stepping into his first NFL head coaching role. That could mean growing pains against a seasoned Bengals offense.
After a Week 6 bye, the Bengals head to Baltimore for a Week 7 clash. They'll be the first test for Ravens rookie head coach Jesse Minter, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. Minter's defensive schemes will be under a microscope early on.
Week 8 brings the Tennessee Titans to Paycor Stadium. The Titans hired Robert Salah, who spent 2025 as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator and previously led the New York Jets. He takes over for Brian Callahan, a former Bengals offensive coordinator, adding a layer of intrigue to this matchup.
In Week 9, the Bengals travel to Madrid for an international showdown with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons brought in Kevin Stefanski after his tenure with the Cleveland Browns ended. Stefanski knows the Bengals well from his time in the division, but he's still searching for a reliable quarterback to lead his offense.
Finally, Week 10 brings a primetime rematch: the Bengals host Mike McCarthy and the Steelers on Sunday Night Football. This second divisional showdown could be a defining moment in the season, especially with both teams still adjusting to new leadership on one side.
For the Bengals, facing six teams with new head coaches in the first nine games isn't just a scheduling quirk—it's a golden opportunity to build early momentum. While those teams figure out their identities, Zac Taylor's squad can lean on continuity and experience to set the tone for the rest of the season.