While offensive schemes are often the backbone of NFL success, leadership behind them matters just as much.
During the same interview, both Tee Higgins and Chase Brown had high praise for offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, offering insight into how his approach has shaped the Bengals’ offensive identity.
We asked the duo, who kindly joined us via Bounty Paper Towels, ahead of Super Bowl LV, about their offensive coordinator, Dan Pitcher, getting some head coaching looks around the league this offseason. Part of Pitcher’s influence also has to do with the offensive line, so we also asked Higgins and Brown about the improvements seen up front last year.
Regarding the offensive line, Brown had a lot of positives to say about the group. It’s understandable, given their 2025 performance, and his role as running back, who works day in and day out with the group.
“I think Ted (Karras’) leadership really showed up in a way that you wouldn’t really expect,” Brown began. “O-Line and the communication is huge, so I think what we did really well and what Ted did really well, between everybody, was we all knew what we wanted to achieve, whether in the run game, the pass game—whatever ID he was making, whatever run game call he was making, everybody knew what we needed to do to make that play successful.”
Karras was one of the quietly integral outside free agent signings the Bengals made back in the 2022 season. He immediately replaced Trey Hopkins in the middle and became a fan favorite for his on-field play, leadership, and off-field charitable endeavors.
Whether it’s with his Cincy Hat venture or his “Right up yours, Tennessee” rant, Karras will long be remembered as a Queen City favorite. Still, it’s great to hear Brown single out Karras, who is entering his 11th season, as a key reason why protection and blocking up front improved quite a bit this year.
“I think we took a really big step there, and you saw that in the second half of the season, for sure,” Brown concluded.
Regarding Pitcher and his run as a hot name in coaching searches, Brown had more to say about him and the hopes of his return. It seems that Pitcher will be staying in Cincinnati as their offensive coordinator, with more head coaching jobs being filled, but both Brown and Higgins noted their admiration for him.
“I think it’s great that he’s getting those opportunities (interest as a head coach), he’s a great coach, and he deserves everything that’s coming his way,” Brown said. “It would be great to have him back—he means a lot to this team, and he’d definitely be missed if he moved on, but we’d be happy for him.”
Pitcher oversaw a top-10 offense in passing yards, the No. 2 offense in passing touchdowns, while also spearheading a career year from Brown and Higgins (in touchdown receptions). The aforementioned improvement on the offensive line should also be credited to both him and Scott Peters and was a major reason the Bengals were competitive under Joe Flacco’s watch in relief of the injured Joe Burrow.
Higgins had a short, but poignant follow-up to Brown’s gushing of Pitcher, stating: “Yeah, I agree with everything he (Brown) just said”.
We’ll see if Pitcher can continue to engineer a high-powered offense in 2026 with many stars returning—including Brown and Higgins. If he can, which most believe is the case, it’s more about the team completing the other areas of the roster to muster another playoff run.
Our thanks to Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, and the fine folks with Bounty Paper Towels. The Super Bowl is about watching the big game with family and friends, as well as some great food, and Bounty is the perfect Wingman for your party.
Whether you’re serving sauced wings, pizz,a or other great foods that could leave a mess, have plenty of Bounty on hand at the party! After all, it is “The quilted, quicker, picker-upper”!
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