The Cincinnati Bengals fell to 0-5 on Sunday, coming alive too late in the game against an 0-3-1- Arizona Cardinals team captained by a new head coach and rookie passer for it to matter.
After the 26-23 loss, Bengals coach Zac Taylor offered up a message to Bengals fans, according to Marisa Contipelli of the team’s official site: “The day that it comes and it flips is gonna be a good time around here.”
Taylor also explained one of the big issues he sees, per Contipelli: “’We’re in position to win these games, we’re just not getting it done.’ Pointed to plays not being made, leaving points on the board, and the offense needing to score more in the first half.”
It is hard to view any message from Taylor right now as anything but an endorsement for sticking around for the future. No team had made the playoffs over the last 10 years after starting 0-4, never mind 0-5. At this point, the remainder of the season is likely about draft positioning and evaluating the talent on the roster.
That might not excite fans, but it was hard not to be impressed with how the players fought late on Sunday. Taylor clearly still has a new energy with his players, the talent and execution simply isn’t where it needs to be just yet in the early stages of a rebuild.
