{
  "id": 12499378,
  "title": "Stephen A Smith Urges AFC Team to Fire Head Coach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/stephen-a-smith-urges-afc-team-to-fire-head-coach",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T23:49:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/stephen-a-smith-urges-afc-team-to-fire-head-coach-12532567"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith urged the Cincinnati Bengals to fire their head coach, Zac Taylor, during Tuesday's First Take broadcast. The Bengals are currently 2-2 at the start of the 2026 NFL season, losing both of their most recent games. They began the year with victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans, but then suffered defeats to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars. In their latest matchup, the Jaguars defeated the Bengals 22-17 on Sunday. During the discussion, Smith questioned Taylor's performance as a head coach, noting that the team's weapons have not translated into success compared to Taylor's overall record of 54-65-1 over the past eight years with the Bengals. The team's quarterback, Joe Burrow, also struggled, throwing two interceptions and facing a poor performance from their leading rusher, Chase Brown, who gained only 10 yards on the ground. The Bengals aim to improve their standing with a Week 5 game against the 0-4 Miami Dolphins.",
  "summary": "ESPN broadcasting personality Stephen A. Smith called on the Cincinnati Bengals to replace head coach Zac Taylor.",
  "key_points": [
    "Stephen A. Smith called for Bengals to fire Zac Taylor.",
    "Bengals 2-2 start to 2026 NFL season, lost last two games.",
    "Taylor's 8-year record with Bengals: 54-65-1."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}