Zac Taylor: Bengals aware NFL is investigating Patriots for potential video taping Bengals’ play calls

At a routine Monday presser, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor dropped an apparent bombshell by revealing he knows the NFL is investigating the New England Patriots for potentially filming play calls from the press box over the weekend.

The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. captured the scene:

At the question of it being alleged a Patriots official had a videographer filming the Bengals sideline from the press box on Sunday, Zac Taylor had no comment only saying he was "aware there was an incident" and "the league was investigating it," but had no comment.

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 9, 2019

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has since provided further reports on the matter:

An explanation, via a source informed of the #Patriots situation: The team reached out to the #Browns for a credential for a videographer to shoot a behind-the-scenes piece on an advanced scout. A day in the life. They’ve done “Do Your Job” pieces on several other facets (1/2).

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 9, 2019

More on #Patriots/#Bengals situation (2/2): These "Do Your Job” pieces have been on training staff, equipment, etc. The videographer shot B-roll in the press box. The Pats didnt ask the league until afterward, tho they did inform the #Browns (who had the home game) vs. #Bengals

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 9, 2019

Rapoport’s colleague Tom Pelissero added more:

My understanding of how this played out: A #Bengals scout noticed the videotaping in the #Browns press box. He alerted a #Bengals executive, who alerted NFL Security, which spoke with the #Patriots employees and obtained the video. https://t.co/IrNbSZbR44

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 9, 2019

As of this writing, the incident in question pertains to Cincinnati’s loss to Cleveland over the weekend. The Bengals host the Patriots in Week 15 at 1 p.m. ET.