"Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has emerged as a top candidate to be the Bengals new DC, per me and Mike Garafolo," Rapoport wrote. "Coach Zac Taylor has been waiting for the National Championship to end before moving forward. Now that it has, he can speak with Golden & work thru it."

Actor Anthony Mackie arrives prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Monday will be the ninth time that Ohio State and Notre Dame have met in program history. The Buckeyes won the last meeting 17-14 in 2023 on a last-second touchdown in South Bend, Indiana. Golden will have the challenging task of stopping an Ohio State offense that ranks 12th in points (35.8) nationally.