Report: Bengals pass on Del Rio as DC

Jack Del Rio will not be the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator after both sides decided it would not be a perfect fit, according to an NFL Network report Tuesday. Per the report, the sides talked before having an official interview, and made the decision not to go further.

Del Rio was considered the leading candidate to run the Bengals' defense under new head coach Zac Taylor, who reportedly would like to hire a veteran defensive coordinator, much like former boss Sean McVay did with the Los Angeles Rams and Wade Phillips. John Fox and Mike Nolan -- both former head coaches and defensive coordinators in the NFL -- have been rumored as possible candidates, while former Green Bay Packers coordinator Dom Capers is also reportedly an option.

Taylor, 35, was officially introduced Tuesday and discussed the type of staff he hopes to put together. "What we're looking for are great teachers, concise communicators, outside-the-box thinkers and people who are not afraid to deviate from the norm," he said. "We're in the process of building a great coaching staff.

"...There's a lot of really good coaches out there. We're going to find the right people, we're urgent in assembling the right people, but we're going to take our time and make sure everyone is a perfect fit." The team has yet to officially announce any staff hirings, but former Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan will be the offensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons is expected to be retained.

Del Rio, 55, spent 2018 out of coaching after getting fired as the Raiders' head coach, and he is still getting paid by the team under an extension he signed after the 2016 season. He last served as a defensive coordinator from 2012-14 with the Broncos, coincidentally working on the same staff as Callahan. --Field Level Media