Editing Cincinnati Bengals (section)

==== Zac Taylor years (2019–present) ====
[[File:Joe Burrow Bengals.jpg|thumb|224x224px|[[Joe Burrow]], Bengals quarterback since 2020]]
In 2019, they hired head coach [[Zac Taylor]].<ref name="w518">{{cite web | last=Terrell | first=Katherine | title=Taylor named 10th head coach in Bengals' history | website=ESPN.com | date=2019-02-04 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25924806/bengals-name-zac-taylor-10th-head-coach-franchise-history | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The 2019 campaign started off with reasonable success, with the Bengals barely losing to [[Seattle Seahawks|Seattle]] 21–20 at CenturyLink Field; but what started with promise ended in disaster.<ref name="v856">{{cite web | last=Booth | first=Tim | title=Career day by Dalton not enough as Bengals fall to Seahawks | website=AP News | date=2019-09-09 | url=https://apnews.com/career-day-by-dalton-not-enough-as-bengals-fall-to-seahawks-616d4d827bbb47c1a989768f46eec777 | access-date=2024-08-15}}</ref> The Bengals then lost 10 more games and were 0–11 heading into December 2019. To open the month of December, they got their first win of the season against the Jets, 22–6, in Cincinnati.<ref name="b475">{{cite magazine | last=Chavez | first=Chris | title=Bengals Get First Win of 2019 Season Against Jets | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=2019-12-01 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/12/01/bengals-beat-jets-first-win-2019-season | access-date=2024-08-15}}</ref> They eventually lost to the Patriots and then to the Dolphins, 38–35, in overtime after Dalton led the team back from 23 points down in the fourth quarter. With the loss to the Dolphins, the Bengals officially clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the [[2020 NFL draft]].<ref name="y710">{{cite web | last=Baby | first=Ben | title=Losing pays off for Bengals, who clinch No. 1 pick | website=ESPN.com | date=2019-12-22 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28354398/losing-pays-bengals-clinch-no-1-pick-nfl-draft | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> They capped off the season with a win against the Cleveland Browns, finishing 2–14, equaling the 2002 season as the team's worst record in history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/index.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="u354">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press | title=Bengals win final game of the 2019 season | website=WLWT | date=2019-12-29 | url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/bengals-win-final-game-of-the-2019-season/30354992 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

In 2020, the Bengals improved under rookies [[Joe Burrow]] and [[Tee Higgins]].<ref name="w813">{{Cite web |last=Dehner Jr. |first=Paul |date=2023-04-04 |title=Bengals' '20 draft revisited: Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins head franchise-altering class |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4377895/2023/04/04/bengals-2020-draft-joe-burrow-tee-higgins/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=New York Times}}</ref> Starting the season with a 2–5–1 record going into the bye week, including an overtime tie to the [[Philadelphia Eagles]]. Going into Week 11 facing the [[Washington Football Team]], they lost Joe Burrow to a season-ending knee injury that all but ended their season, only winning two more contests against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] and [[Houston Texans]].<ref name="x472">{{cite news | last=Jhabvala | first=Nicki | title=Washington comes back to beat Bengals, 20–9, after rookie QB Joe Burrow leaves with injury | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2020-11-22 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/11/22/washington-defeats-bengals-20-9/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Finishing the season 4–11–1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Cincinnati Bengals Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/2020.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, the Bengals won the [[AFC North]] with a 10–7 record, which included dominant sweeps of the rival Pittsburgh Steelers and [[Baltimore Ravens]].<ref name="w014">{{cite web | last=Hobson | first=Geoff | title=Burrow, Bengals Chase Down AFC North Title With Classic 34–31 Winner Over Chiefs | website=Bengals.com | date=2022-01-02 | url=https://www.bengals.com/news/burrow-bengals-chase-down-afc-north-title-with-classic-34-31-winner-over-chiefs | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Led by Joe Burrow, who was playing in his first full season after recovering from his devastating knee injury in Week 11 of his rookie season and rookie receiver, and Burrow's college teammate at LSU, [[Ja'Marr Chase]], Cincinnati would win the AFC North for the first time since 2015. They beat the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], 34–31, in a Week 17 thriller to clinch the division. They then won their first playoff game since the 1990 season, beating the [[Las Vegas Raiders]], 26–19, in the Wild Card round.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shook|first=Nick|title=2021 NFL playoffs: What we learned from Bengals' Wild Card Round victory over Raiders|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-playoffs-what-we-learned-from-bengals-wild-card-victory-over-raiders|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=January 15, 2022|access-date=January 18, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183135/https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-playoffs-what-we-learned-from-bengals-wild-card-victory-over-raiders}}</ref> After that, they upset the top-seeded [[Tennessee Titans]], 19–16, when [[Evan McPherson]] kicked a game-winning 52-yard field goal. A week later, they advanced to their first Super Bowl since 1989 when McPherson kicked a 33-yard field goal in overtime to cap off a comeback from being down 21–3 and shock the No. 2 seed Chiefs, 27–24. They lost a close Super Bowl to the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in [[Super Bowl LVI]], 23–20.<ref name="z891">{{cite web | last=Wilner | first=Barry | title=Kupp's late TD lifts Rams over Bengals 23–20 in Super Bowl | website=AP News | date=2022-02-14 | url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-rams-beat-bengals-9b60529f8014690bddae2637c788da1a | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

In Week 1 of the [[2022 NFL season]], the Bengals lost, 23–20, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, breaking a three-game winning streak the Bengals had against Pittsburgh. After falling to a 4–4 record in Week 8, the Bengals proceeded to win 8 straight games to tie a franchise-record for single-season wins and earn a 3 seed in the AFC playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Cincinnati Bengals Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/2022.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="q486">{{cite web | last=Crisafulli | first=Owen | title=Bengals' Nightmare Scenario For NFL Playoff Seeding, Matchups | website=ClutchPoints | date=2022-12-28 | url=https://clutchpoints.com/bengals-nightmare-scenario-2022-nfl-playoff-seeding-matchups | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> They defeated divisional rival Baltimore in the first round 24–17, behind a 98-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by [[Sam Hubbard]].<ref name="m668">{{cite web | last=Dajani | first=Jordan | title=Bengals' Sam Hubbard records historic 98-yard fumble return TD vs. Ravens on Super Wild Card Weekend | website=CBSSports.com | date=2023-01-16 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bengals-sam-hubbard-records-historical-98-yard-fumble-return-td-vs-ravens-on-super-wild-card-weekend/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref><ref name="l601">{{cite web | title=Hubbard's fumble return gives Bengals 24–17 win over Ravens | website=AP News | date=2023-01-16 | url=https://apnews.com/article/new-york-giants-nfl-college-football-sports-playoffs-8b2488f1e81323e360cf0391c91c6c42 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Despite missing three starting offensive linemen, the Bengals followed that up with a decisive 27–10 road win over the favored [[Buffalo Bills]] to reach a second straight AFC Championship appearance for the first time in franchise history.<ref name="l680">{{cite web | last=Wawrow | first=John | title=Joe Burrow and the Bengals overcome the elements to reach AFC title game again | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2023-01-22 | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-01-22/joe-burrow-bengals-bills-afc-division-playoffs-recap | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Once again, they faced the Kansas City Chiefs in the Championship Game, but this time they lost 23–20, in another thrilling game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheeran |first=John |date=2023-01-29 |title=Bengals fall just short to Chiefs 23–20 in AFC title game |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/1/29/23576952/bengals-chiefs-score-recap-afc-championship |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Cincy Jungle |language=en}}</ref>

In the 2023 season, during their Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Joe Burrow would suffer a wrist injury that would rule him out the rest of the season.<ref name="t879">{{cite web | last=Shook | first=Nick | title=Bengals QB Joe Burrow has torn ligament in right wrist, will miss remainder of 2023 season | website=NFL.com | date=2023-11-17 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bengals-qb-joe-burrow-has-torn-wrist-ligament-to-miss-remainder-of-2023-season#:~:text=Joe%20Burrow's%20tumultuous%202023,likely%20require%20surgery%2C%20per%20Taylor. | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The consistent play of backup quarterback Jake Browning kept the Bengals alive in the postseason hunt after Burrow's injury.<ref name="y083">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press| title=Bengals now face decisions on many free agents | website=spectrumnews1.com | date=2024-01-09 | url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/sports/2024/01/09/bengals-now-face-decisions-on-many-free-agents | access-date=2024-08-04}}</ref> The Bengals finished the season 9–8 and missed the playoffs.<ref name="c016">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press| title=Bengals finish season strong at 9–8 with 31–14 win over Browns | website=WDTN.com | date=2024-01-08 | url=https://www.wdtn.com/sports/football/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-finish-season-strong-at-9-8-with-31-14-win-over-browns/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

The 2024 season, with Burrow returning, came with high expectations for the Bengals; however, Cincinnati limped to a 4–8 start to the season thanks primarily to a porous defense; the Bengals lost four games where they scored at least 33 points; an NFL record.<ref name="m193">{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Michael David | title=Bengals are 2-4 when scoring 33 or more points this season, rest of NFL is 52-1 | website=NBC Sports | date=2024-12-02 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bengals-are-2-4-when-scoring-33-or-more-points-this-season-rest-of-nfl-is-52-1 | access-date=2025-01-31}}</ref> The team finished strong, winning their final five games to finish with a 9–8 record for the second straight season, however, they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season after the Denver Broncos shutout the Kansas City Chiefs.<ref name="s631">{{cite web | last=Rapien | first=James | title=Look: 2024 Cincinnati Bengals Make History, Miss Playoffs for Second-Straight Season | website=SI.com| date=2025-01-06 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/look-2024-cincinnati-bengals-make-history-miss-playoffs-for-second-straight-season-01jgxtce6xt5 | access-date=2025-01-31}}</ref> Burrow led the NFL in passing yards; wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase won the [[List of NFL receivers who have won the triple crown|triple crown]] leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and defensive end [[Trey Hendrickson]] led the league in sacks.<ref name="w356">{{cite web | last=Manzano | first=Gilberto | title=NFL's 2024 Stat Leaders: Bengals' Trio Shines Despite Disappointing Year | website=SI.com | date=2025-01-08 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2024-stat-leaders-bengals-trio-shines-despite-disappointing-year | access-date=2025-01-31}}</ref>

On April 3, 2025, Bengals executive V.P. Katie Blackburn stated that “We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year if we didn’t pick the option up” in regards to the team's lease on Paycor Stadium.<ref name="Move">{{cite web |last1=Florio |first1=Mike |title=Bengals hint at possibility of relocation — as soon as 2026 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bengals-hint-at-possibility-of-relocation-as-soon-as-2026 |website=[[NBC Sports]] |access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref> At the time the Bengals where struggling to reach an agreement on the lease with the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.<ref name="Move"/> Blackburn also stated that she likes the stadium's downtown location and hopes to secure the team's future there.<ref name="SI Move">{{cite web |last1=Lyons |first1=Dan |title=Bengals Exec on Stadium Situation: 'We Could Go Wherever We Wanted After This Year' |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals-exec-stadium-situation-go-wherever-wanted-year |website=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref> The Bengals had proposed a $120 million renovation of the stadium which would've seen 90% of the funds raised from taxpayers, which drew fire from Hamilton county commissioners as the Bengals only pay $158,526 in rent per-year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wartman |first1=Scott |title=Could the Bengals leave Paycor Stadium? Here's what we know about lease negotiations |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/05/hamilton-county-bengals-negotiate-stadium-deal-as-lease-deadline-nears/82862605007/ |website=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref>