The Cincinnati Bengals received some fantastic news to end the weekend on Sunday.
Over the last couple of weeks, there’s been concern that Cincinnati could lose two key offensive assistants this offseason — offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher.
Those two assistants have been with Joe Burrow for the first three years of his career. Replacing both in one offseason would’ve been disastrous for continuity in Cincy.
On Friday, we learned that Callahan is no longer in the mix for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job, meaning he’ll almost certainly be back with the Bengals in 2023.
And on Sunday, a report emerged that suggested Pitcher will also return to Cincinnati in 2023.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, Pitcher is no longer a candidate for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator job.
#Bengals QBs coach Dan Pitcher will remain in Cincy for another season working with Joe Burrow, sources say. Pitcher had interviewed twice with the #Buccaneers and was considered a top candidate. Figures to be in the mix for OC jobs again next year. https://t.co/ZbhSqNq7sg
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 12, 2023
Based on Garafolo’s report, it sounds like Pitcher removed himself from consideration for the job.
The Bengals clearly have some unfinished business to take care of in Cincinnati. And they’ll essentially be running it back in 2023 to finish the job.
I wouldn’t expect this continuity to continue beyond 2023. If the Bengals have another successful season, Callahan and Pitcher will be poached (Cincy will hope that Pitcher simply moves into the offensive coordinator role). It’s inevitable that change will occur after 2023.
But fans can worry about that a year from now. All that matters right now is that Cincinnati’s top offensive assistants are coming back for at least one more season.
