Bengals start the weekend by learning they could lose a key member of franchise
The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off the weekend by learning they could lose a key member of their coaching staff. On Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they completed an interview with Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher. Tampa interviewed Pitcher for their offensive coordinator opening. It's inevitable that a franchise that's in the AFC Championship […]
The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off the weekend by learning they could lose a key member of their coaching staff.
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they completed an interview with Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher.
Tampa interviewed Pitcher for their offensive coordinator opening.
It's inevitable that a franchise that's in the AFC Championship game in back-to-back seasons is going to lose some key assistants.
Pitcher, however, is a guy that Cincinnati certainly doesn't want to lose this offseason.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has a terrific relationship with Pitcher. And that's been critical to Burrow's success. It's something that Burrow noted on Friday when he met with reporters for the final time before Sunday's showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"That’s why we mesh so well in the meeting room and on the sideline," said Burrow when asked about having a similar personality as Pitcher. "We have a great working relationship. And really I say this all the time but I couldn’t ask for a better group of coaches for my skill set and what I do."
If Pitcher leaves to become the offensive coordinator in Tampa, it could mean that Cincinnati loses their quarterbacks coach and their offensive coordinator this offseason (Cincy OC Brian Callahan is eventually going to be a head coach).
Continuity is important in the NFL. Breaking in a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterbacks coach next offseason wouldn't be ideal for Burrow or Cincy's offense.
A better scenario for the Bengals would be Pitcher stepping into the offensive coordinator role if/when Callahan gets a head coaching job. But since that might not be this offseason, Pitcher might decide he doesn't want to wait any longer to become an offensive coordinator.
It's still a bit early to know how this will play out, but Bengals fans should be hoping that Pitcher sticks around in Cincy as the "offensive coordinator in waiting".
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK
