Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Tayor has made his first hire since firing four coaches following the season. On Monday, the team announced Scott Peters as its new offensive line coach and Mike McCarthy as an assistant offensive line coach.

Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t done much to hide their intentions when it comes to the team’s next defensive corodsintoer. The transparent, narrow search to fill the position has always obviously centered on Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden. Those plans took another step on Monday night.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news: “The #Bengals are finalizing a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who is expected to be in Cincinnati on Thursday to officially sign on as DC, sources tell The Insiders.”

With the college football season over, Al Golden can return to the pro coaching ranks. Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator appears to have his next NFL gig lined up.

Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25

Just moments after Notre Dame lost to Ohio State 34-23 in the National Championship Game, Mike Garafolo reported that Zac Taylor and the Bengals are eyeing Golden for their defensive coordinator job.

The Dolphins are scheduled to play a home game in the upcoming season against Cincinnati, though one of their home games will be played in Spain.

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

Cincinnati has a prime candidate in Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was the club's linebacker coach in 2020 and 2021 under Taylor's staff. Just last night, Golden competed in the national championship against Ohio State. While Notre Dame lost to a buzzsaw of a Buckeyes squad, Golden's defense was remarkable this season.

The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden as the next defensive coordinator of the franchise, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Wednesday. Golden currently serves as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator after two years on head coach Zac Taylor’s staff from 2020-21.

Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to hire Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden to run its defense. Golden helped lead the Fighting Irish to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game where they lost to Ohio State. He is expected to officially sign with the team on Thursday.

Al Golden is set to join the Bengals as their next defensive coordinator, after leading Notre Dame to the CFP national title game.