Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has admitted to a practice that technically violated NFL rules for the past eight seasons: he did not personally throw the red challenge flag. Instead, he delegated this responsibility to Doug Rosfeld, his chief of coaching staff.
This long-standing arrangement became public knowledge as the NFL prepares to implement a rule change for the 2026 season that will officially allow head coaches to designate another staff member to use the challenge flag. Taylor stated that he informed referees before games that Rosfeld would be handling the challenges, and this practice was never questioned.
"We’ve been breaking that rule for eight years because I’ve never thrown a challenge flag," Taylor said during a press conference. He added that he was unaware the practice was frowned upon and noted that other coaches in the league have done the same.
Taylor explained that the delegation of the challenge flag responsibility allows him to focus on other coaching duties, such as play-calling and communicating with players, especially after an offensive series concludes. With Rosfeld watching the game closely, he can determine if a play warrants a challenge while Taylor is engaged with his players.
While some coaches keep the red flag on their person, with former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick famously tucking it into his socks, Taylor found it more convenient to have it managed by a dedicated staff member. He confirmed that he was always required to be near Rosfeld when a challenge was made, a scenario that has never presented a problem.
"It’s just part of our routine now. I feel better with Doug having it," Taylor commented. The coach suggested that the new rule might even lead to a retroactive fine, though he expressed confidence in their established process.