Bengals' Brian Callahan among five highest-rated OCs as voted by players
No matter how the season ends for the Cincinnati Bengals, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan deserves major props for the 2023 campaign. Cincinnati's offensive coordinator oversaw several midseason amendments to the Bengals' offense with two Joe Burrow injuries derailing the process. Burrow's backup Jake Browning came in and kept the season afloat thanks to a revamped […]
No matter how the season ends for the Cincinnati Bengals, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan deserves major props for the 2023 campaign.
Cincinnati's offensive coordinator oversaw several midseason amendments to the Bengals' offense with two Joe Burrow injuries derailing the process. Burrow's backup Jake Browning came in and kept the season afloat thanks to a revamped scheme that best fit Browning's strengths as a quarterback.
Callahan may not be the one calling the plays, but his influence on the scheme and architecture is great. The respect he's earned from his players is great as well.
The NFLPA asked its players to rank their favorite offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators in hopes of generating exposure towards the names as the league's hiring cycle is set to begin.
Callahan ended up as the fourth-highest ranked OC.
If the ranking was based on results and production, Callahan's name wouldn't be so high on the list (neither would Carolina Panthers OC Thomas Brown). Instead, it's the player's voices that matter here.
Callahan gracing the top four speaks volumes of his overall ability to connect with his players as a coach. That's an attribute that teams in need of a new head coach should prioritize.
Last January, Callahan notably interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching gig and was one of the finalists for the position. It's entirely plausible that with the Bengals' offseason beginning next week, Callahan will re-emerge as a potential candidate for the impending vacancies.
The Bengals planned for this possibility. They gave quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher a raise last offseason, presumably with the assurance that he'd take Callahan's place should it become available. They might have to make sure that's still an option this time around.
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