For the second consecutive season, the Cincinnati Bengals have failed to reach the postseason despite the outstanding performance of star quarterback Joe Burrow. However, the Bengals seem committed to addressing their most significant weakness by considering a familiar face from the college ranks. Following Monday’s National Championship game, where the Notre Dame Fighting Irish narrowly lost to Ohio State, NFL teams have taken notice of their successful season.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has emerged as a name to watch in NFL coaching searches. Reports indicate that he may not be the only coach from Notre Dame catching the attention of NFL teams. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden—who previously served as the Bengals’ linebackers coach from 2020 to 2021—is a top candidate to fill the Bengals’ defensive coordinator vacancy. Garafolo added that before finalizing their decision, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor plans to speak with Golden to gauge his interest in returning to the NFL.
With the national title game over, the #Bengals can make their push to hire Notre Dame’s Al Golden for defensive coordinator. Sources tell me and @RapSheet he’s a leading candidate and Zac Taylor has paused the search to speak to Golden, his LBs coach in Cincy from 2020-21. pic.twitter.com/iyiHkJ4cMk
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 21, 2025
This past season, the Bengals ranked seventh in points allowed across the league. In contrast, Notre Dame’s defense under Golden was remarkable, conceding only 14.3 points per game—second only to Ohio State, the eventual National Champions. Regardless of whether Golden becomes the Bengals’ next defensive coordinator, it is evident that they must bring someone on board who can effectively turn the situation around. If they fail to do so, they risk wasting another season of exceptional play from Joe Burrow, which is the last thing anyone in the AFC North wants to see.
