The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into a pivotal offseason after a disappointing 6-11 campaign, and while head coach Zac Taylor has said he doesn’t expect changes to his staff, one key figure could be on the move: offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher.
Pitcher, who’s been a central part of the Bengals’ offensive brain trust, is drawing serious interest from around the league. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pitcher is set to interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ open offensive coordinator position this week. The opportunity comes with Taylor’s blessing, as the Bengals head coach has given Pitcher the green light to pursue jobs that include play-calling duties-something Pitcher doesn’t currently have in Cincinnati, where Taylor calls the plays.
That alone makes this situation worth watching. While Pitcher holds the OC title in Cincinnati, his role has been more collaborative than commanding when it comes to game-day decisions. So the chance to take full control of an offense elsewhere-especially one with intriguing pieces like Tampa Bay’s-could be a major step forward in his coaching career.
But Tampa Bay isn’t the only team that has Pitcher on its radar. He’s also reportedly in serious contention for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job.
According to multiple league sources, including James Rapien of Sports Illustrated, Pitcher remains “very much in the mix” as the Browns prepare for a second round of interviews. If Cleveland were to make that move, it would be a massive leap for Pitcher-jumping from a non-play-calling OC to a head coach in the same division.
That kind of interest tells you how highly regarded Pitcher is around the league. He’s been with the Bengals since 2016, working his way up from offensive assistant to quarterbacks coach, and eventually to offensive coordinator. Along the way, he’s helped develop Joe Burrow into one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks and has played a key role in crafting an offense that, when healthy, has been among the NFL’s most explosive.
Of course, the 2023 season didn’t go according to plan. Injuries, inconsistency, and some uncharacteristic struggles on both sides of the ball left the Bengals on the outside looking in come playoff time. Now, as the franchise looks to regroup and reload, the possibility of losing Pitcher adds another layer to an already critical offseason.
If Pitcher lands either the Tampa Bay OC job or the Cleveland head coaching gig, it’ll leave a notable void in Cincinnati’s offensive staff. While Taylor remains the primary architect of the offense, Pitcher’s presence has been a steadying and innovative influence-especially in the quarterback room. His departure would force the Bengals to not only replace a key voice in the game-planning process but also recalibrate how the offensive staff operates moving forward.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Pitcher is weighing his options, and the Bengals are preparing for whatever comes next. Whether he stays in Cincinnati or takes the next step elsewhere, one thing’s clear: Dan Pitcher’s stock is on the rise, and teams across the league are taking notice.