For what it’s worth in mid-June, the Cincinnati Bengals feel good about their progress on defense this offseason.
With OTA’s and mandatory minicamp now concluded, and the Bengals going their separate ways for about five weeks prior to the start of preseason training camp, plenty was said about the supposed forward steps by Cincinnati’s defense under first-year coordinator Al Golden.
Advertisement
How much the positive reviews turn out to be worth remains to be seen. Some definitive answers will have to wait for Cincinnati’s Aug. 7 preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, and even well after that.
Bengals offseason moves analysis What we learned from Bengals’ offseason with training camp up next
Bengals analysis Stewart Hendrickson Analysis: The Bengals have another disgruntled player. It’s a Bengals tradition.
Bengals Zac Taylor Shemar Stewart Zac Taylor, players respond to Shemar Stewart skipping Bengals’ final camp practice
For the time being, Cincinnati’s coaching brain trust feels confident the defensive unit has responded positively to Golden’s arrival, and his scheme. The stage is set for a productive training camp, Golden and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor both appeared to suggest.
Advertisement
“The guys have exceeded expectations in terms of preparation and the staff has done a great job delivering the message,” Golden said. “Goal line and end of game stuff is all that’s left for training camp, so that’s a pretty remarkable job by everybody. I love the attitude of the players to attack that the way they did.”
New Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden, right, is upbeat about what his staff has accomplished so far this offseason. “The guys have exceeded expectations in terms of preparation and the staff has done a great job delivering the message,” Golden said.
Golden also contended progress is taking place while 2024 NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson and first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart remain in contract disputes with the team. Some of the available players are developing more quickly in Hendrickson’s and Stewart’s respective absences, plus that of tackle B.J. Hill due to injury.
“It affects us in a positive way as ironic as that is, because you are already preparing for that injury when it exposes itself during the year. You force guys into playing multiple positions, what we call horizontal depth — ends playing tackle, tackles playing end and some linebackers playing on the edge. From that standpoint we always see the good in it and the opportunity. I’m being serious on that. Some guys have really taken advantage of their reps and their opportunity and we’ll obviously be more formidable when those guys get back.”
Advertisement
A day later on Thursday, Taylor echoed Golden’s sentiments about the versatility and development of some of the available defensive players coming faster in light of the contract disputes and Hill’s injury.
“I agree with what (Golden) said (Wednesday). This is a positive in some ways because so many guys have gotten so many reps and been able to cross-train,” Taylor said. “It’s been really good for guys as we build that depth. Guys are fighting for opportunities. In that way, it’s been a very positive thing.”
Golden joked with media members that he should have taken Taylor’s advice earlier in the offseason and taken some time off. Instead, he’s an early arriver to Paycor Stadium each morning. First he prepares his fellow defensive coaches, then the players, and then they hit the field together. Golden said Wednesday he was finally ready for a vacation, and planned on taking one.
Such is the life of the Bengals’ defensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 season following the firing of his predecessor, Lou Anarumo.
Advertisement
The Bengals were the No. 25-ranked total defense last season, as well as 25th in scoring defense and 30th in red zone defense.
The team’s tackling was heavily scrutinized as the Bengals slumped midseason in 2024, and scrambled to mount a late-season push into contention. That push ultimately fell short.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says he welcomes change to his staff. “I just think anytime there is change within a program and change in the coaching staff, it’s good,” he said. “It makes me adjust.”
For the sake of change, Golden is making things uncomfortable for players and coaches alike. Taylor says it’s working.
Tune in Aug. 7 to see how much progress has actually been made.
“I just think anytime there is change within a program and change in the coaching staff, it’s good,” Taylor said. “It makes me adjust. It makes me uncomfortable in some areas. I don’t know the defense as well as I did in years past, which is great. It gives me something to invest in and grown in and fine tune over the course of the summer. Then I come back to training camp in the same shape as some of those guys mentally.
Advertisement
“I think it’s really good for all of us to have some change, have a change in the schedule, have some change with some scheme. I think (offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher) and the offensive coaching staff have done an outstanding job of driving the evolution of our offense as well and making things uncomfortable for the players and making things uncomfortable for the coaches.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘A pretty remarkable job.’ Here’s where the Bengals’ defense stands