Bengals DC Al Golden Demands Tackling Overhaul After 39-38 Defensive Collapse

Defensive Coordinator Al Golden Confronts Fundamental Failures Following High-Scoring Loss

Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator Al Golden addressed the media in the aftermath of the team’s disheartening 39-38 loss, a game characterized by significant defensive breakdowns and persistent issues with fundamental execution. Golden’s comments focused heavily on the need for immediate and rigorous improvement in tackling, physicality, and skill development, signaling a critical turning point for the unit.

The high-scoring defeat, which saw the opposing offense rack up nearly 40 points, placed the defense squarely under the microscope. Golden made it clear that while effort was present, execution was lacking, particularly in high-leverage situations.

The Core Issue: Tackling Fundamentals and Leverage

Golden emphasized that the defensive struggles boiled down to basic, repeatable failures that transcend scheme or talent—specifically, poor tackling technique. He stressed that tackling is a fundamental skill that must be drilled relentlessly, regardless of the point in the season.

Addressing the media, Golden linked the missed tackles directly to a lack of physicality and proper leverage—the ability to maintain advantageous body position against the ball carrier. He noted that the defense often failed to secure stops that would have changed the momentum of the game.

“We have to get back to the fundamentals of tackling. It’s not about effort; it’s about technique and leverage,” Golden stated. “We have to be more physical at the point of attack, and that starts with winning the one-on-one battles in space.”

Prioritizing Skill Development

Golden detailed the necessary shift in focus for the coming weeks, prioritizing individual skill development over complex schematic changes. This approach suggests that the coaching staff believes the defense’s potential is being undermined by basic errors that can be corrected through focused practice.

Key areas Golden identified for immediate skill development include:

• Leverage and Angles: Ensuring defenders take proper pursuit angles to force runners inside and maintain outside containment.
• Wrap-Up Technique: Eliminating ‘shoulder tackles’ and emphasizing the importance of wrapping up the ball carrier to finish plays.
• Run Fits and Gap Integrity: Maintaining discipline in assigned gaps to prevent explosive runs, a recurring problem in the loss.

The Impact of the Players-Only Meeting

The defensive coordinator also confirmed that the team held a players-only meeting following the loss—a common response in the NFL when a team faces internal adversity and needs peer accountability.

Golden viewed the meeting as a positive sign of leadership and ownership within the locker room, but cautioned that meetings alone do not solve problems; they must be followed by tangible action on the field.

He praised the veteran leadership for stepping up, recognizing that the message often resonates more strongly when delivered by peers rather than just coaches. The goal of the meeting was reportedly to reinforce accountability and refocus the team on the high standards expected of a championship contender.

Coaching Accountability

While demanding more from his players, Golden also took ownership of the unit’s performance, acknowledging that the coaching staff must find better ways to teach and reinforce these fundamental techniques under pressure.

He emphasized the need for consistency, noting that the defense showed flashes of elite play but failed to sustain it for four full quarters—a critical flaw in a league defined by close margins.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Defensive Consistency

As the Bengals look to rebound from the emotional loss, Golden’s mandate is clear: the defense must become a more physical and fundamentally sound unit. The focus shifts immediately to practice field drills designed to simulate game-speed tackling and leverage situations.

Golden understands that the team’s aspirations for the 2025 season hinge on the defense’s ability to stop the run and secure tackles, especially in the red zone and late in games. The 39-38 defeat serves as a stark reminder that even an elite offense cannot always compensate for defensive lapses.

Key Takeaways from Golden’s Address

• Tackling is Priority One: The primary failure was poor tackling technique and lack of physicality, not schematic issues.
• Leverage is Critical: Golden stressed the importance of proper body position and pursuit angles to finish plays.
• Players-Only Meeting Confirmed: The defensive unit held a meeting to establish peer accountability and refocus on standards.
• Skill Development Focus: The coaching staff will dedicate significant practice time to reinforcing basic fundamentals like wrapping up and maintaining gap integrity.
• Need for Consistency: The defense must sustain high-level execution for the entire game, moving past intermittent flashes of success.

Conclusion

Al Golden’s candid assessment provides clarity on the Bengals’ defensive struggles. By isolating the issues to fundamental failures in tackling and physicality, he has set a clear, actionable goal for the unit. The coming weeks will test the leadership and resolve of the defensive players as they attempt to translate the renewed focus from the players-only meeting and the practice field into consistent, game-winning execution. The pressure is now on the defense to prove that their issues are correctable and not systemic.