The Cincinnati Bengals and Zac Taylor aren’t letting special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons go anywhere — and the feeling is mutual.
Simmons is back for 2020 on a contract extension, first reported by Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
That makes Simmons the first re-signing of seven holdovers from Marvin Lewis’s staff. He’s the team’s longest-tenured coach after starting with the team in 2003, putting him at 18 seasons and counting.
It’s only fitting on a day where a special teams coordinator was hired as head coach elsewhere the Bengals got this done with theirs. Keep in mind the front office interviewed Simmons for head coach after Marvin Lewis left — that wasn’t just for show.
Simmons’ unit ranked No. 1 in special teams ratings at Football Outsiders this year. Brandon Wilson led the team in return average. Kevin Huber lead the league with 30 fair catches.
And while Simmons would probably generate droves of interest around the league, he’s got a non-football reason for sticking with the city of Cincinnati, too.
“Family is a big part of it. Keeping the family in one place. I’m very appreciative of that opportunity,” Simmons said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
Simmons has been a very good coach for a long, long time, so while this is a quiet move compared to many others to come this offseason, it’s one of the most important for the Bengals.
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