Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals

For any NFL team, a strong team culture is the foundation of long-term success—and for the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Zac Taylor has been the architect of a culture that prioritizes accountability, unity, and resilience. Since taking over in 2019, Taylor has transformed the Bengals from a struggling franchise into a consistent playoff contender, and he often credits this turnaround to the culture he’s built. Unlike X’s and O’s, culture is intangible—it’s the way players treat each other, the effort they bring to practice, and the mindset they adopt in adversity. Taylor’s approach to culture isn’t about catchy slogans; it’s about actionable values that guide every decision, from roster moves to in-game strategies. Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals explores how Taylor has shaped this culture, the key principles he’s emphasized, and why it’s become the backbone of the Bengals’ success.

Taylor’s culture-building journey began with defining core values that would serve as the team’s north star—accountability, selflessness, and continuous growth. Early in his tenure, Taylor gathered the team for a series of meetings to discuss what kind of culture they wanted to build, ensuring players had a voice in the process. The result was three non-negotiable values: accountability (taking ownership of mistakes, no blame-shifting), selflessness (putting the team above individual stats), and growth (never being satisfied, always working to improve). Taylor modeled these values himself: when the Bengals lost, he took public responsibility for playcalling or game management errors; when they won, he highlighted players’ contributions instead of his own. He also implemented “accountability huddles” after practices, where players and coaches openly discussed what went wrong and how to fix it. “Culture isn’t something you talk about—it’s something you live every day,” Taylor said in a 2023 interview. “Our values aren’t posted on a wall; they’re in how we practice, how we recover, and how we treat each other.” This focus on values paid off: by 2021, the Bengals had their first winning season under Taylor, and players credited the culture for their improved chemistry. Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals notes that these values have become ingrained in the team’s identity, shaping everything from how rookies are welcomed to how veterans mentor younger players.

A critical part of Taylor’s culture-building is fostering trust between coaches and players—a bond that he says is essential for overcoming tough times. Taylor recognized early on that players would only fully buy into the culture if they trusted their coaches to have their best interests at heart. To build this trust, he made himself accessible: he holds weekly one-on-one meetings with key players, listens to their feedback on schemes or practice schedules, and even joins them for off-field activities (like team dinners or community events) to strengthen personal connections. When quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a knee injury in 2020, Taylor visited him daily during rehab, not just to discuss football but to check in on his well-being. This gesture stuck with Burrow, who later said, “Coach Taylor doesn’t just see us as players—he sees us as people. That trust makes you want to play harder for him.” Taylor also trusts players to lead: he lets veterans like Burrow and defensive end Trey Hendrickson weigh in on team decisions, giving them a sense of ownership in the culture. “Trust is a two-way street,” Taylor said. “Coaches have to trust players to execute, and players have to trust coaches to guide them. When that trust exists, great things happen.” Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals emphasizes that this trust has been crucial in high-pressure moments, like playoff games, where players and coaches rely on each other to make split-second decisions.

For the Cincinnati Bengals, Taylor’s culture has also focused on developing young talent—a strategy that has turned the team into a sustainable contender. Unlike some coaches who prioritize short-term wins by relying on veterans, Taylor has been willing to give young players meaningful reps, even if it means growing pains early on. When Burrow was a rookie in 2020, Taylor started him from Week 1, letting him learn on the job instead of sitting behind a veteran. When Ja’Marr Chase joined the team in 2021, Taylor integrated him into the offense immediately, even though Chase had opted out of the 2020 college season. This approach has paid off: Burrow is now a Pro Bowl quarterback, Chase is one of the league’s top receivers, and the Bengals have a core of young, talented players who’ve grown up in Taylor’s culture. Taylor also implemented a “mentorship program” where veterans are paired with rookies to help them adjust to the NFL—on and off the field. For example, veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd mentored Chase, teaching him how to study film, handle media attention, and prepare for AFC North defenses. “Developing young players isn’t just about talent—it’s about teaching them our culture,” Taylor said. “When they grow up in this system, they become ambassadors for it.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this focus on youth has created a pipeline of talent that will keep the team competitive for years to come. Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals explores how this patient, player-first approach has set the Bengals apart from teams that struggle with roster turnover.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ culture has also been tested by adversity—and Taylor’s ability to keep the team united during tough times has only strengthened it. In 2022, the Bengals lost key players to injuries during the playoff run, including Burrow (who played through a calf injury) and Chase (who missed time with a hip issue). Instead of folding, the team rallied, with role players stepping up and veterans leading by example. Taylor kept the focus on the culture’s values: accountability (players took ownership of their roles), selflessness (star players adjusted their games to compensate for injuries), and growth (the team learned from losses to get better). After a tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game that year, Taylor gathered the team and reminded them, “Adversity doesn’t define us—it reveals us. Our culture is stronger because of this fight.” The next season, the Bengals returned to the playoffs, proving their culture could withstand setbacks. For the Cincinnati Bengals, these moments of adversity have been critical: they’ve shown players that the culture isn’t just for good times—it’s a framework for overcoming bad ones. “Culture is easiest to talk about when you’re winning,” Taylor said in 2023. “But it’s only real when you’re losing. That’s when your values have to carry you.” Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals notes that this resilience has made the Bengals a tough out in the playoffs, as opponents know they won’t quit even when the odds are against them.

Finally, Taylor’s culture has had a ripple effect beyond the locker room, strengthening the Bengals’ connection to the Cincinnati community—a bond that has energized both the team and its fans. Taylor believes a strong team culture should extend to the city it represents, so he’s implemented initiatives that bring players and fans together: team-wide community service days (where players visit local schools or food banks), “Bengals Town Halls” (where fans can ask players and coaches questions), and even a “Culture Night” at home games, where the team highlights local heroes who embody the same values (accountability, selflessness, growth). Taylor himself is active in the community, volunteering at youth football camps and supporting local charities. This connection has turned casual fans into diehards, with Bengals games now selling out consistently and the team’s social media following growing by leaps and bounds. “Our culture isn’t just for the team—it’s for Cincinnati,” Taylor said. “This city works hard, supports each other, and never gives up. That’s exactly the culture we’re building here.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this community bond has become a source of motivation: players say they feel the city’s support in every game, and they want to make Cincinnati proud. Zac Taylor on Building Culture Within the Cincinnati Bengals concludes that Taylor’s greatest achievement isn’t just the Bengals’ playoff appearances—it’s the culture he’s built, one that unites players, coaches, and fans around a shared set of values. As the Bengals continue their pursuit of a Super Bowl, this culture will remain their most valuable asset.