Golden’s DC Debut Comes at Old Stomping Ground

Golden, who was hired as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator in January, heads into his first preseason game in the new role at a familiar stadium. He spent the 2006-10 seasons as head coach at Temple University, which played their home contests at Lincoln Financial Field. Golden went on to another head coaching stint at the University of Miami (Fla.) from 2011-15, then held NFL roles with Detroit (tight ends and linebackers coach) and Cincinnati (linebackers). His most recent stop was Notre Dame, where he built one of the nation’s top defenses as the Fighting Irish’s defensive coordinator over the last three years.

Golden capped off his Notre Dame tenure by helping the Irish advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, just a week prior to joining Zac Taylor’s staff. While in South Bend, Golden coached nine players who went on to be selected in the NFL Draft.

Bengals coaches and players have praised Golden and his defensive scheme throughout the offseason program and early parts of training camp. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher referred to his counterpart as “one of the most prepared, diligent coaches I’ve ever been around.”

For sixth-year quarterback Joe Burrow, the daily battles against Golden’s unit offer a challenge he embraces as he once again orchestrates a high-powered Bengals passing attack.

“They’re doing a great job,” Burrow said. “The young DB’s are really stepping up and making things tough. Their energy, physicality and knowledge of their coverages has been top-level. That’s exciting.”

Burrow Expected to See “Extended Action”

While the Bengals continue to emphasize a fast start to the regular season, head coach Zac Taylor indicated that the team’s starting units — including Burrow — will have a substantial snap count on Thursday night.

“He’ll participate every single day like he normally would, fully healthy, and then we anticipate playing him more in preseason games than we ever have,” Taylor said.

Prior to this year, Burrow had a total of eight passing attempts in the preseason. As he prepares for the first significant action of his preseason career, he has acknowledged that a healthy 2025 offseason has allowed for him to find his top form earlier than in years past.

“I think this is the best I’ve thrown it in several years,” said Burrow on his performances during the first week of training camp.

Burrow is coming off a 2024 season that saw him lead the NFL and set Bengals single-season records in completions (460), passing yards (4,918) and touchdown passes (43). He earned his second career Pro Bowl selection and was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year.

Brown Family Reunion, Part II

Identical twins Chase Brown (Bengals halfback) and Sydney Brown (Eagles safety) face off for the second time in their NFL careers in this week’s preseason matchup. The former teammates at the University of Illinois first met at the pro level in Week 8 of last season at Paycor Stadium.

Both players compiled decorated careers for the Fighting Illini. Chase rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his final two seasons (2021-22), and in ’22 was an AP second-team All-American and became the first finalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back) in program history. That year, his career-high 1,643 rushing yards ranked fourth in the country.

Sydney capped his Illinois career in 2022 by leading the Big Ten in interceptions (six; third in nation), earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and USA Today second-team All-America status.

Now entering their third NFL season, the Brown twins both look to take a leap. Chase opened training camp as Cincinnati’s undisputed lead halfback for the first time in his career. Sydney, who last season returned to action after recovering from a knee injury, aims to re-enter the starting lineup for the first time since his 2023 rookie campaign.