Bengals HC Zac Taylor unhappy with how RB Chase Brown handled loss: ‘That’s not how we want to react’

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor didn’t mince words after Sunday’s loss, expressing clear disappointment in how running back Chase Brown handled the team’s latest setback. The Bengals’ defeat — a game they were expected to win — stung deeply, but what caught Taylor’s attention wasn’t just the result on the scoreboard. It was Brown’s visible frustration after the final whistle, when emotions boiled over in a moment that Taylor described as “not reflective of what we stand for.”Reports from the locker room suggest Brown stormed off the field without participating in the postgame handshake line, later throwing his helmet against a bench in frustration. Cameras caught the second-year running back exchanging heated words with a teammate before exiting down the tunnel. It was a flash of passion — but also of immaturity, something Taylor was quick to address in his postgame comments. “We all care. We all hate losing,” Taylor said. “But that’s not how we want to react. We win and lose as a team.”Taylor’s remarks were calm but pointed, reflecting the fine line every coach walks between allowing emotion and maintaining professionalism. “Chase is a competitor — that’s why we love him,” Taylor continued. “But we have standards here. How we handle adversity says a lot about who we are, and that’s something we’ll address.” It’s a familiar message in the Bengals’ locker room, one built on accountability and unity under Taylor’s leadership.For Brown, the frustration is understandable. The young running back has been eager to carve out a bigger role in the offense, but Sunday’s game saw him struggle to make an impact. Limited to just a handful of carries and targeted once in the passing game, he never found rhythm. Meanwhile, veteran Joe Mixon continued to handle the bulk of the workload, leaving Brown visibly agitated as the offense sputtered in key moments.Those who know Brown describe him as fiery and driven, traits that have fueled his rise from a mid-round draft pick to a promising rotational player. But in the heat of competition, that passion can sometimes overflow. “Chase wears his heart on his sleeve,” one teammate told reporters. “He wants to help the team win so badly, and sometimes it comes out the wrong way. He’ll learn from it.”Taylor’s comments weren’t meant to embarrass the young back but to set a tone. The Bengals, sitting on the edge of playoff contention, can’t afford emotional fractures in the locker room. The coach has worked hard to build a culture of composure — a group that stays even-keeled, win or lose. “We’ve been through tough stretches before,” Taylor reminded reporters. “What defines us is how we respond, not how we react.”Teammates, including Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, downplayed any lingering tension. Burrow, ever the diplomat, called the outburst “a product of caring.” “We all want to win,” he said. “Emotions run high, but Chase is one of us. We’ve got his back.” That kind of public support will be important as Brown works to move past the incident and regain focus for next week’s crucial matchup.Behind the scenes, Taylor is expected to speak privately with Brown, reinforcing expectations without dampening his competitive edge. The Bengals value emotion — they just want it channeled productively. Brown, still early in his career, has time to learn that balance. Many veterans, including Mixon and Tyler Boyd, have had their own moments of frustration in the past and grown from them.It’s a learning experience not just for Brown but for a young Bengals team still shaping its identity in a season full of ups and downs. The coaching staff knows emotional outbursts often come from players who care deeply — and that managing those emotions is part of maturity. If handled correctly, this could become a turning point rather than a setback for Brown’s development.For now, Taylor’s public stance sends a clear message: accountability is non-negotiable. “We don’t point fingers, and we don’t lose control,” he said. “That’s not who we are.” It’s the kind of leadership that has earned Taylor respect across the league — firm, fair, and focused on the long term.As for Brown, the coming weeks will be about proving that this moment was a blip, not a pattern. His talent isn’t in question; his response now will define how quickly he matures into the reliable contributor the Bengals believe he can be. “Chase will bounce back,” Taylor concluded. “He’s too good and too passionate not to.”If there’s a silver lining, it’s that passion like Brown’s — once refined — can become a powerful driving force. For the Bengals, the hope is that this emotional flare-up becomes fuel for growth, both for the player and the team. After all, as Taylor made clear, frustration is understandable. But in Cincinnati’s locker room, composure is the standard.