The Bengals made two coaching moves that drew some nice praise.
Wednesday afternoon, the Cincinnati Bengals hired former Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden to the same role. Golden returns to Cincinnati, where he was the linebackers coach in 2021.
His familiarity with Zac Taylor was a big reason that Golden has been linked to the job since the Bengals fired Lou Anarumo, but Golden wanted to finish his season with Notre Dame. Golden led the Irish defense all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship game before falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night.
Golden’s unit was top in the country in sacks and turnovers in 2024, something Bengals fans hope he brings to Cincinnati. Golden also led college football’s second-rank scoring defense in 2024.
But that’s not all. The Bengals also hired former New England Patriots defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery to the same position. Montgomery spent this season with the Pats after a nine-year stint with the Green Bay Packers that saw him hold multiple job titles.
As always, reactions around Twitter were mixed. Here’s what people had to say about the hirings.
I’m not gonna hate on Al Golden because I wanted Patrick Graham.
The reason I didn’t agree with the hire is because of the confusing play calls in the championship game. That’s all
— h (@StripesAllDey) January 22, 2025
Al Golden hire: A
Al Golden hiring process: C-
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 22, 2025
Also we can now officially end the “cheap” narrative once again. Al Golden was set to make 2.5Mill at notre dame next season (would be top 5 nfl DC salary) so the Bengals had to buy him out and give him a similar payday https://t.co/jPuc8dPGiE
— Der German Tiger (@DerGermanTiger) January 22, 2025
Along with the Al Golden hire, im very interested to see who he brings along on the staff.
Id really like Al Washington to come with him, or Mike Mickens, should be interesting.
— Costa (@CincyPlzWin) January 22, 2025
Future Bengal pic.twitter.com/sNKQq418jd
— thatz.jah (@GaThatz) January 22, 2025
Never forget how Al Golden helped develop the young linebacker room.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) January 22, 2025
From yesterday: @pauldehnerjr, on Al Golden. pic.twitter.com/jzWJTtcUjo
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) January 22, 2025
Popped into a Steelers space, they say Golden is the worst hire and they are putting up 50 on us. Makes me think the move is better than I thought.
— The Cincinnati Sparks (@Ryandosparks) January 22, 2025
Al Golden is a TB away drop from being a Super Bowl champion https://t.co/cMMhMcNPMd
— DGrizzle (@DGrizzleTV) January 22, 2025
Jerry Montgomery is 45 and entering his 20th season coaching DL between college and pros. Spent nine seasons in Green Bay.
Interesting to see #Bengals fill both trench positions with New England cast-offs. Will be familiar conversations between Montgomery and Scott Peters.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) January 22, 2025
Man, this is the kind of hire that gets you out of your seat. Al Golden hauling in DL coach Jerry Montgomery, who is only 45-years-old, brings some amazing NFL coaching experience.
Bengals are bringing in the DL coach that maximized Rashan Gary to do the same for Myles Murphy. https://t.co/baMx7TK6X1 pic.twitter.com/DqpUndfH2A
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 22, 2025
Here’s the report on Jerry Montgomery from longtime #Packers fan @JoshElmore16 https://t.co/ef5MDygHpE pic.twitter.com/dv4CeQuPZh
— Austin Elmore (@autyelmore) January 22, 2025
If the Bengals have the hit rate that the Packers DL had under Jerry Montgomery, this could be a big hire.
Karl Brooks, Devonte Wyatt, Kingsley Enagbare, TJ Slaton stand out as high production guys they have gotten a lot out of.
Rashan Gary (hit) and Lukas Van Ness (nothing… https://t.co/4PrHYcYcLB
— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) January 22, 2025
Pretty excited about the the Bengals new Dline coach Jerry Montgomery
Worked his way up from the Dline coach at Northern Iowa all the way to the NFL
9 years in GB
1 in NE last yearTwo guys who really took big steps with him were
Rashan Garry
Keion WhiteDline development
— Logan Fulmer (@Fvlmer) January 22, 2025
What do you think of the Bengals hiring Golden and Montgomery? Let us know in the comments!
