Tony Dungy’s immense praise of Bengals assistant coach gives Cincinnati something new to think about
The Hall of Fame head coach sees a future HC on Cincinnati’s staff.
Troy Walters decided to stay as the wide receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals after turning down an interview for the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator vacancy. He did so to continue pursuing a championship in Cincinnati
“They have great coaches on the staff, but it was really what I believe is going to take place here in Cincinnati,” Walters told Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “I’m excited about what we’re going to do this year, and really want to finish it off the right way here in Cincinnati and try to go win a Super Bowl here.”
Becoming an OC under Ben Johnson is about as strong of a path to eventually becoming a head coach as you could ask for in this climate. Declan Doyle left the position to call plays for the Baltimore Ravens last month, and with a successful year or two, he could very well be on his way to that promotion.
Walters declined that chance, for now, but a Hall of Fame coach sees it in his future.
Tony Dungy is buying Troy Walters as a future head coach
News of Walter’s decision reached Radio Row at Super Bowl LX where Tony Dungy, who spent a combined 13 years as the commander of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, will be covering the game for NBC. Dungy was a defensive coordinator before making the jump to HC, much like Seattle Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald, and he sees Macdonald in Walters.
“I absolutely see him as a head coach,” Dungy told Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “He’s one of the guys who’ll be under the radar. He reminds me of Mike Macdonald.
“Somebody is going to see that and say, ‘You know what? This guy is special. Look at what he’s done for his guys. And can I get that to transfer into my team?’ His future is so bright.”
Macdonald was a very effective DC for just two years with the Baltimore Ravens and is now coaching for a Super Bowl just two years after landing his promotion. Walters was an OC for four years at the collegiate level, but has never been more than a position coach in his NFL coaching days. For Dungy to compare Walters to Macdonald is unquestionably high praise.
It should also make Cincinnati consider Walters’ future more carefully now that he’s decided to stay for another year.
Internal promotions should be on the docket for Walters
The Bengals have a high-level position coach who’s not only well-respected, but is very much on track to progressing his career when he feels the time is right. Walters wants to finish what he started in Cincinnati, but whether a ring is won or not, other clubs are going to keep calling.
Walters doesn’t sound like the kind of assistant you let leave the building. Just ask the Ravens about Macdonald. Baltimore’s defense declined rapidly upon his departure, and now the franchise is starting over with the candidate most similar to Macdonald in former Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter, who also previously coached under John Harbaugh and was a Michigan DC like Macdonald.
The Ravens surely regret letting Macdonald leave. Walters has done incredible work developing receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, and 2025 breakout player Mitchell Tinsley. He’s a coach you find a way to keep, because replacing him would be even harder.
OC Dan Pitcher was pursuing promotions this offseason, with the permission granted by HC Zac Taylor. If Pitcher moves on next year and Taylor is still atop the coaching staff, Walters feels like the obvious candidate to promote from within. Even if the Taylor is canned following another playoff-less season, retaining Walters via a promotion would be a wise path forward.
Walters isn’t going anywhere for now, and his reasoning for staying is music to Cincinnati’s ears. When the time he starts thinking differently comes, the Bengals should be all-in on doing what it takes to keep him around.
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