The NFL's base coverage remains Cover 3, and that likely will not change. As the NFL pivots to more split-field coverages to counter the constant onslaught of play-action passing on early downs and passing in general, the king of coverages still accounts for over a third of all plays in the league.
That league-wide split in coverage choice mirrors Cincinnati’s own divide between single-high and two-high looks, and it gives the right context for how Al Golden has evolved his scheme in Cincinnati. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator was hired to simplify the bloated play-calling sheet that had grown under Lou Anarumo and to fix a young, talented secondary.
Last season, the Bengals posted one of the league's worst defenses while still trying to run a diverse playbook, but a mid-season pivot to more man coverage (Cover 1) helped Golden raise the floor. Cincinnati would finish the final nine weeks of the season with a neutral EPA/play (.001) and the 16th-best EPA/play (PFF).
Over the past six weeks, the Bengals defense has continued to lean into Cover 1, ranking third in usage (~25%) and as one of only three teams that use man-free more than Cover 3. In closed-post coverage, the Bengals rank 23rd in EPA/play (.117), but become elite in open-post looks, ranking fifth in EPA/play for split-field coverages (-.100).
According to FTN, Cincinnati currently gives up just over seven yards per dropback (YPD) when playing single-high coverage. That ranks them near the bottom of the league (28th). When Golden flips to a split-field coverage (Quarters/Cover 6), that YPD drops to under five YPD (4.8).
The -2.34 difference is the largest performance gap in the league. So far, the Bengals’ split-field defense ranks third in DVOA and has allowed zero passing TDs.
Instead of following the current NFL meta of playing weak rotation Cover 3 and pairing it with Quarters, Golden is unique in playing Cover 1 and pairing it with Cover 6 rotations. No one in the league is doing this. The man-coverage usage has grown from below 18% at the start of last season to almost a quarter (24.6%) of all coverages called in ‘26.
Total Cover 3 volume has fallen more than 10% since the end of the season, replaced by man coverage, Quarters, and a 6% increase in Cover 6. To make the system even more unique, Cincinnati’s Quarters usage (~8%) is the second-lowest in the league.
The Bengals’ 2.2:1 Cover 6-to-Quarters ratio is second in the league. Paired with their high use of Cover 1 and the league’s lowest Blitz Rate (17%), Cincinnati’s defense is completely unique.
In Year 1 under Golden, the secondary was asked to play “positionless” football, with complex pre-snap checks and post-snap rotations. With several hybrids at his disposal, Golden used them as interchangeable parts. The problem was that it created too many grey areas, busts, and the league-worst 50% open receiver rate through Week 9.
Dax Hill, in particular, was constantly bouncing back and forth from Nickel to outside CB. During the Bengals’ Week 10 “reset,” Golden locked Hill at boundary CB (71% usage), but the Bengals finished 32nd in DVOA against the Slot.
With another full offseason to recalibrate, Golden and the Bengals appear to have the right mix in the secondary. Golden’s coverage usage this year matches what he wanted to do to start the season in ‘25; the main difference is the clear pivot from zone (C3) to man (C1).
The addition of former Chiefs Safety Bryan Cook (6) has stabilized the Free Safety position alongside Jordan Battle. DJ Turner and Hill play outside CB in Base, with Hill sliding into the Nickel and DJ Ivey coming in in sub-packages.
Golden has evolved his system since the abysmal start to the 2025 campaign. Instead of completely paring down the playbook, he has streamlined it and is playing his secondary where they can succeed.
The retooling has paid off so far. According to FTN, the Bengals rank sixth in Tight Coverage Rate (33.5%) and have stabilized their Open Receiver rate at 32%, down from 50% in ‘25.
Golden has a distinct Cover 6 usage pattern that reflects his personnel on the field. In Base, the Bengals prefer a traditional Quarter-Quarter-Half, playing Cover 2 away from the strength call or to the single-receiver side. In Nickel, Golden rotates the Cover 2 over the Nickel (Hill), creating either a cap or a backstop for the Slot, where Cincinnati finished 32nd in DVOA in 2025.
In both cases, the defense protects its DBs and gives them a break from heavy man coverage. Below, we break down five clips that show how Golden protects his secondary and counters opposing passing attacks with his brand of Cover 6.
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Below, I break down five clips that show how Golden protects his secondary and counters opposing passing attacks with his brand of Cover 6.
