The Cincinnati Bengals, under head coach Zac Taylor, will make more changes than initially thought to the coaching staff this offseason. Right after the season ended, the Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and a handful of other coaches.

Taylor is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Bengals. Cincinnati has posted a winning record in four-straight seasons for only the second time in team history. They've also missed the playoffs in back-to-back years. Taylor is hoping that key changes to his staff can be a difference maker in 2025 and beyond.

The Cincinnati Bengals are notoriously slow starters under head coach Zac Taylor. Naturally, that's one of the biggest pieces of advice thrown the team's way now that the Bengals missed the playoffs a

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor now begins the hiring search for a new defensive coordinator after firing Lou Anarumo (and a handful of other coaches). While the top Bengals defensive coordinator candidates are major names, Taylor told reporters on Monday that many things will go into the hiring process.

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledges fans after the victory over the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kati

Here are the most likely candidates and chances they replace Lou Anarumo as the next Bengals defensive coordinator.

With the Cincinnati Bengals pivoting off Lou Anarumo as their defensive coordinator, all signs point to them replacing him after the College Football Playoff runs its course. Their top choice is coaching in that game and has ties to the Bengals franchise.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo talk to each other at Bengals spring practice at the IEL Indoor Facility in Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. / Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK