While Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden prepares his team for their first round playoff matchup against the San Diego Chargers, the Washington Redskins appear to be biding their time as they wait to try to woo the 46-year-old coach over to the nation’s capital.
According to NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington, Gruden is expected to get “major consideration” from the Redskins. Gruden’s name has repeatedly been mentioned among Washington Redskins coaching rumors and is definitely on the short list of candidates to replace Mike Shanahan.
The Redskins might not be the only player for Gruden’s services after he helped coach Andy Dalton to his third straight playoff appearance. Under Gruden, Dalton has improved his yardage, completions, touchdown percentage, and passer rating in each of his first three years in the league. A former quarterback himself, Gruden’s tutelage might be just what embattled Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III needs.
Prior to becoming the Bengals’ offensive coordinator in 2011, Gruden was the offensive coordinator and later head coach of the UFL’s Florida Tuskers (now Virginia Destroyers) and helped lead the team to back-to-back UFL championship games in 2009 and 2010. He had previously been the head coach of the AFL’s Orlando Predators and an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when his brother Jon coached the team.
Gruden also played quarterback in the AFL for the Predators and Tampa Bay Storm, winning the AFL MVP award in 1992. He won the AFL championship six times and was voted the fourth greatest AFL player of all time in 2006.
While Gruden is an early short-lister for the Redskins job, he is far from the only one that Washington has their eye on. The Redskins have already requested to interview Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, and Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Redskins may also be interested in Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, Baylor coach Art Briles (who coached RGIII in college), Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, and 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
