Cincinnati Bengals Fire DC Teryl Austin

The Cincinnati Bengals have fired their defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, according to reports.

The Bengals announced the decision on Monday, via ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Teryl Austin only joined Cincinnati this season after a three year spell with the Detroit Lions, from 2014 – 2017.

His firing appears to be the result of the Bengal’s 14 – 51 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. With that result, the Bengals became the first team in the Super Bowl-era to allows 500 or more yards in three straight games.

The 51 conceded points were the most that Cincinnati has allowed since Week 2 of 2007. At least then, they were at least closed to a result with 45 points to the Browns’ 51. Against the Saints, the Bengals had zero takeaways and zero sacks. In their last three games, the team has allowed 45, 34 and 51 points.

Only once this season have the Cincinnati Bengals conceded fewer than 20 points, when they played the Miami Dolphins (17).

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“I appreciate the hard work that Coach Austin has put into our football team, but I felt it best to make a change at this point in time, and I wish him the best,” head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement.

“I will be coordinating the defense from here on out and I am excited to do that. This football team has a real chance to get back to playing winning football so we can compete for the playoffs, and that is our sole focus.”

Speaking to the media after Sunday’s match, Lewis didn’t single Austin out, although he did acknowledge the team has problems.

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“Again, it’s hard to speak for today, we talked about the other things,” Lewis said.

“We need to play better. We need to get off the field on third down. I looked up there at halftime and they were 6-for-6.”