The Athletic put out a list of the best young minds in the league Wednesday, featuring 50 of the top coaches, executives, agents and media members under the age of 40 who impact the NFL and are set to do so for the foreseeable future. The Athletic compiled a list of more than 100 names and dwindled it down over the last year after discussion and debates. Candidates were nominated by their players, colleagues, employers, other team and league sources and The Athletic beat writers.

Dan Pitcher, the Bengals' 38-year old offensive coordinator, made a list of coaches that included Rams head coach Sean McVay and Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. Also joining The Athletic list was Bengals personnel executive Trey Brown, who joined a group of executives that includes Bears general manager Ryan Poles.

The Bengals' offense had one of its most successful seasons in franchise history in Pitcher's first season as offensive coordinator. Cincinnati set a team record with 472 points scored, surpassing the total of 460 from 2021. The Bengals also ranked fifth in the NFL with 57 total touchdowns and were top 10 in total yards and yards per game.

"After four seasons as Cincinnati's quarterbacks coach, Pitcher took over as offensive coordinator last season when Brian Callahan took the Titans' head coaching job. Coach Zac Taylor praises Pitcher for his work with Cincinnati's quarterbacks, including Joe Burrow, whom Pitcher helped develop after the Bengals drafted him first overall in 2020. Taylor also credits Pitcher for the effectiveness on third downs, where Cincinnati ranked fifth. Pitcher has started sparking interest as a future head coach and it's believed in NFL circles it's a matter of when, not if."

Entering his 10th season with the Bengals, Pitcher was promoted to QB coach by Zac Taylor in 2020 and has helped develop Joe Burrow since his rookie season.

The Burrow-led attack led the NFL in passing yards, passing yards per game and passing touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded the Bengals as the best passing offense in the NFL with a 92.8-passing grade. PFF had Burrow tied with Buffalo's Josh Allen for the league lead in big-time throws, each with 37. Receiver Ja'Marr Chase erupted this season, pacing the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for the NFL Triple Crown.

"Our relationship is as good as it gets," Burrow said of Pitcher when he was promoted in January 2024. "I wouldn't be the player I am today without him."

Pitcher was also instrumental in Jake Browning's success when he filled in for the injured Burrow in 2023. Browning hit 71.5% of his passes in his seven starts, and his 1,868 yards were second to only Burrow's 2,023. Browning's 99.1 passer rating and 11 touchdown passes were second only to 1969 AFL Rookie of the Year Greg Cook.

"I always felt like no matter what you asked him, he knew the answer, or he would work on getting you the answer," Browning said. "That sounds really simple, but that's just good communication where you feel like you can walk into a game prepared. I always felt prepared when I was playing for him."

The 39 year old Brown has been with the Bengals for five seasons after previous stops in New England and Philadelphia. Brown brought a scouting background to Cincinnati in 2021, perviously serving as the Eagles' director of college scouting for three years. His expertise has helped identify key talent in the draft over the last few years, such as CB Cam Taylor-Britt, RB Chase Brown, WR Andrei Iosivas and S Jordan Battle.

The former scout is the right-hand man of Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin, who leans on Brown because of his versatility, extensive knowledge and keen eye for talent. In addition to his five seasons with the Bengals, Brown also has worked in the Patriots' and Eagles' front offices, as well as with the AAF's Birmingham Iron and XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks. Brown has been on the radar for several teams in search of general managers the last couple years, interviewing with the Jets and Jaguars this offseason.

Pitcher and Brown will look to continue to build upon their young, successful careers as the Bengals turn the page to 2025.