### Bengals' Struggles Continue: Joe Burrow's Team Misses Playoffs for Third Consecutive Year The Cincinnati Bengals, once seen as a rising force in the NFL, have now missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. Despite having a talented core led by quarterback Joe Burrow, the team finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 6-11 record, largely impacted by Burrow's absence due to a toe injury for nine games. In response to this ongoing struggle, Bengals owner Mike Brown has confirmed that head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin will return for the 2026 season, indicating a commitment to continuity despite recent failures [https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/us-sports/joe-burrow-s-bengals-miss-playoffs-for-the-3rd-straight-year-101767648348804.html, https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mike-brown-says-bengals-retain-151227766.html]. ### Overview of the Bengals' Current Situation 1. **Playoff Miss**: The Bengals have failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive year, finishing the 2025 season with a 6-11 record. 2. **Coaching Stability**: Owner Mike Brown has expressed confidence in head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin, both of whom will return for the 2026 season. 3. **Injury Impact**: Joe Burrow's significant injury, which caused him to miss nine games, played a crucial role in the team's disappointing performance. 4. **Future Outlook**: The Bengals are expected to maintain their core players, including Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, as they look to improve in the upcoming season [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/zac-taylor-plans-keep-defensive-225555023.html, https://americantalk.live/bengals-sticking-with-zac-taylor-after-third-straight-playoff-miss]. ### Key Data Points and Evidence - **2025 Season Record**: 6 wins, 11 losses. - **Injuries**: Joe Burrow missed 9 games due to a toe injury. - **Coaching Staff**: Zac Taylor will return for his eighth season as head coach, and Duke Tobin will continue as director of player personnel [https://www.news-herald.com/2026/01/05/bengals-miss-playoffs-for-the-third-straight-year, https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/bengals-announce-hc-zac-taylor-returning-for-2026]. ### Conclusion: A Path Forward for the Bengals **The Cincinnati Bengals face a critical juncture as they prepare for the 2026 season.** 1. **Continued Leadership**: The decision to retain Zac Taylor and Duke Tobin suggests a belief in their ability to turn the team's fortunes around. 2. **Core Retention**: Keeping key players like Burrow, Chase, and Higgins intact is essential for future success. 3. **Injury Management**: Addressing injury issues, particularly for Burrow, will be crucial for improving performance. 4. **Expectations for Improvement**: With a stable coaching staff and a talented roster, the Bengals aim to break their playoff drought in the upcoming season [https://www.wlwt.com/article/zac-taylor-cincinnati-bengals-return-coach-offseason/69919933, https://tsn.ca/nfl/article/bengals-keeping-coach-taylor-top-executive-tobin-n1-47512942].