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Ben Baby, ESPN Staff Writer
CINCINNATI — The Bengals have fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
Anarumo was part of coach Zac Taylor’s original staff when Taylor was hired in 2019. Anarumo played an integral role in the Bengals’ turnaround from the worst team in the AFC North to playing in the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 33 years.
Cincinnati also fired offensive line coach Frank Pollack, defensive line coach Marion Hobby and linebackers coach James Bettcher, a source confirmed to ESPN. Those dismissals were first reported by The Athletic.
Cincinnati’s defense struggled in each of the past two seasons as the Bengals missed the postseason in 2023 and 2024 after winning back-to-back division championships and making deep playoff runs. This season, Cincinnati finished 26th in points allowed per drive and was 30th in the NFL in defensive red zone efficiency, according to ESPN Research.
A significant change was required after the Bengals squandered career years from quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Burrow, who was coming off a major wrist surgery on this throwing hand, finished the season as the league leader in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,918). Chase won the receiving triple crown after topping his peers in the three major categories (1,708 yards, 17 touchdowns, 127 receptions). And Hendrickson led all players with 17.5 sacks.
Anarumo’s unit turned things around toward the end of the season. In the team’s five-game win streak, Cincinnati was fifth in opposing scoring defense. However, it wasn’t enough for him to avoid major changes on the staff.
