The Cincinnati Bengals finished off their season with a disappointing 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals were fresh off back-to-back dominant wins before the loss against Cleveland. Unfortunately, the late-season results did not matter much for Cincinnati as they were officially eliminated after their Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite finishing third in the division, the Bengals will be the only team in the AFC North to retain their head coach heading into the 2026 season. The Ravens fired Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh, the Browns fired two-time Coach of The Year Kevin Stefanski, and Pittsburgh saw Mike Tomlin step down after 19 seasons at the helm.
Following the season, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced that he expected the coaching staff would remain the same heading into next season. However, a new wrinkle outside of Taylor’s control may change that plan.
Bengals Offensive Coordinator Draws Head Coaching Interest
Despite the 6-11 record, the Bengals offense finished in the top-12 in points per game for the second consecutive season. This was in spite of starting quarterback Joe Burrow missing nine games this season. The Bengals offensive coaching staff drew interest around the league, including offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher getting interviewed by the AFC North rival Browns for their head coaching job.
After finishing his first interview with the Browns, he is now expected to meet with Cleveland for a second time. Sports Illustrated’s James Rapien said the possibility of Pitcher leaving for Cleveland is very real. He said, “Dan Pitcher is still very much in the mix for the Browns head coaching job.”
Additionally, Rapien wrote, “Don’t be shocked if the Bengals lose him to their division rival sometime this month.” Pitcher is currently only a candidate in Cleveland as they’re the only team to have brought him in for an interview; however, it seems the Browns are thinking outside the box when it comes to their head coaching hire. Regarding the Browns’ head coaching search, NFL insider Jordan Schulz said, “The Browns are viewed around the NFL as a team that could hire a young offensive mind as head coach to pair with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, even if that coach might be a year away from being a legitimate head coaching candidate.”
Joe Burrow’s Thoughts on Dan Pitcher
Perhaps the player who least wants Pitcher to leave for Cleveland is Cincinnati Bengals’ starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The pair have worked closely together since Burrow entered the league as Pitcher was the quarterbacks coach from 2020 to 2023. When Pitcher was promoted to offensive coordinator, Burrow said, “Our relationship is as good as it gets, I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. He’s been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion.”
Pitcher has had opportunities to leave Cincinnati in the past. Prior to the 2023 season, he interviewed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their vacant offensive coordinator position. However, he opted to remain with the Bengals, citing an opportunity to work with Joe Burrow.
Bengals Could Lose Coach to AFC Rival