Notes from the coordinator: Pitcher, Robinson, Williams, Kelly
Dan Pitcher, the Bengals quarterbacks coach, appears to be a clear replacement to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who is expected to become the Titans’ head coach. Pitcher, on the other hand, will continue to interview coordinators elsewhere despite his insider knowledge of the Cincinnati position.
[Related: 2024 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker]
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Pitcher will visit digitally with the Patriots tomorrow before meeting in person with the Raiders tomorrow night. Painter is expected to meet with the Saints on Thursday. The Raiders connection is particularly remarkable. As Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network points out, Marvin Lewis is set to join the Raiders’ coaching staff, and it was Lewis who gave Painter his first NFL position.
Given Joe Burrow’s success, it’s no wonder that Painter is on track for a promotion. The SUNY Cortland graduate has been the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach for the past four seasons, having joined the team in 2016.
Pitcher signed an extension with the Bengals last offseason. That pact, however, will almost certainly not prevent the coach from pursuing a promotion elsewhere, albeit that opportunity may come in Cincinnati.More coordinator notes from across the NFL…
Zac Robinson, the Rams’ passing game coach, has prompted more interviews for offensive coordinator positions. According to SI.com’s Albert Breer, the Steelers and Raiders have both sought interviews with Robinson for their vacant offensive coordinator positions. Robinson has been linked to the bulk of the NFL’s open offensive coordinator positions. He’s scheduled to interview with the Patriots.
and Saints, and he was a candidate for the Bears’ job before Shane Waldron was selected. Robinson spent his whole coaching career in Los Angeles, progressing from assistant quarterbacks coach to passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
Terrell Williams, Titans assistant head coach and defensive line coach, will interview for the Bears defensive coordinator position, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Williams, who formerly coached the Raiders and Dolphins’ defensive lines, took up the same role with the Bears in 2018. He has been in that job for the past six years and was promoted to assistant head coach this season.
Williams joins a growing roster of Bears defensive coordinator possibilities, including fellow Titans coach Chris Harris.
A well-known figure could emerge as an offensive coordinator contender. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, a few head coaching candidates have mentioned Chip Kelly as an offensive coordinator possibility. As a result, multiple companies have begun their due diligence on the former Eagles and 49ers head coach. Kelly has been the head coach at UCLA since 2018, and he just inked an extension that will Keep him with the school until at least the 2027 season.