While some fans remain skeptical about Scott Peters, his appointment as the Cincinnati Bengals’ new offensive line coach has received strong support from coaches, players, and offensive line experts alike.
The Bengals, under Zac Taylor, have turned to the Bill Callahan coaching tree once again in their search for the right offensive line coach. Peters, a former NFL lineman, began his coaching career working with Callahan as a consultant and later as an assistant. He then became the offensive line coach for the New England Patriots in 2024.
Peters has deep ties to Taylor and the Bengals, making his hiring a logical choice. Taylor’s connection with his college head coach, Callahan, and Peters’ extensive experience as a Callahan assistant made him a natural fit for the role. Additionally, Peters comes highly recommended by Jim McNally, the former Bengals offensive line coach and consultant, who has long praised Peters’ expertise, particularly in pass protection. McNally’s endorsement likely played a key role in the decision.
McNally has been a longtime admirer of Peters’ skills. Back in 2015, he declared at a coaching clinic, “If you think you know everything about pass blocking and punching, you don’t. This is the best in the world. And it’s hard for me to say that, I’m biting off a lot here. This f—ing guy is the best.” After the hiring was confirmed, McNally reiterated his high praise.
Public support for Peters’ hiring has been widespread. Bengals legend Willie Anderson expressed his approval, calling the move a great hire. Offensive line expert Brandon Thorn also showed strong support for Peters’ work in New England last year, with his Twitter account filled with praise for the coach.
However, some fans have raised concerns about Peters’ tenure with the Patriots, pointing to the team’s poor offensive line performance in 2024, which improved after quarterback Drake Maye took over. While the results in New England weren’t ideal, the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line struggled significantly in 2024 after Peters and Callahan left, suggesting their impact was felt more than the Patriots’ struggles might indicate.
Another potential concern is Peters’ experience as a talent evaluator. He doesn’t have a long track record in this area but will need to play a significant role in evaluating and acquiring talent for the Bengals. New England’s 2024 offensive line draft picks, Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson, were widely considered poor selections, and it’s unclear how much influence Peters had in those choices. For the Bengals to improve their guard position this offseason, they will need to make the right decisions.
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