Al Golden's defensive staff with Bengals is already starting to come together according to latest report
The Cincinnati Bengals have a new defensive coordinator in Al Golden, and Golden has begun putting together his staff on that side of the ball.Per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr., Cincinnati is hiring Jerry Montgomery as their new defensive line coach. Montgomery has been coaching for over 20 years since his NFL playing career ended […]
The Cincinnati Bengals have a new defensive coordinator in Al Golden, and Golden has begun putting together his staff on that side of the ball.
Per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr., Cincinnati is hiring Jerry Montgomery as their new defensive line coach.
Montgomery has been coaching for over 20 years since his NFL playing career ended before it really began in 2002. He also played a few years in the Arena Football League.
After stops at college programs such as Wyoming, Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma, Montgomery made his leap to the NFL as the Green Bay Packers' defensive front assistant in 2015. In 2018, he was promoted to defensive line coach and held that position through the 2023 season. He also added the run game coordinator title in 2022.
When the Packers hired Jeff Hafley as their new DC in 2024, Montgomery left to be the DL coach for the New England Patriots, joining Scott Peters as part of Jerod Mayo's first and last staff. Peters was hired as the Bengals' offensive line coach earlier this week.
There are no clear connections between Montgomery and the Bengals, but head coach Zac Taylor and Packers HC Matt LaFleur were both assistants for the Los Angeles Rams prior to their current gigs, and Taylor is close with the Oklahoma program being a native of the area. He likely got some intel on Montgomery from those sources.
Montgomery replaces Marion Hobby, who was fired along with several other defensive assistants including Lou Anarumo. Cincinnati ranked 21st in sacks and 27th in tackles for loss in 2024 as Trey Hendrickson did his best to carry the defensive line during his first All-Pro season. Montgomery will be tasked with helping rebuild the unit around Hendrickson as one of Golden's top assistants.