Finalist for Bengals defensive coordinator vacancy just got great news about another job he's vying to land
It's only a matter of time before the Cincinnati Bengals make a decision on hiring a new defensive coordinator. Reports state that Al Golden will be in Cincinnati sometime Wednesday to interview for the position and that he's the favorite to land the job. Patrick Graham was also labeled a "finalist" last week and already […]
It's only a matter of time before the Cincinnati Bengals make a decision on hiring a new defensive coordinator.
Reports state that Al Golden will be in Cincinnati sometime Wednesday to interview for the position and that he's the favorite to land the job. Patrick Graham was also labeled a "finalist" last week and already interviewed for the spot two weeks ago.
Golden may very well best Graham when it's all said and done, but the latter may now have a real chance at landing an even bigger gig.
Graham has also interviewed to be the next head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's one of a few candidates that were scheduled to have a second interview with the club this week.
The Jags' top target was former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and when Johnson chose the Chicago Bears, they pivoted to Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Liam Coen.
As it turns out, the Bucs managed to keep Coen from leaving by making him one of the highest-paid coordinators in the league, as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Now that Jacksonville has lost out on its top two candidates, Graham's chances for landing the gig have increased. The next big name in the search is former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who was the team's linebackers coach from 2014-16 before landing his first DC gig with the 49ers.
Other names to watch for, as ESPN's Michael DiRocco points out, are Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady, and Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore. All three had interviews with Jacksonville before this week.
Graham has been a defensive coordinator for three different franchises over the past six years. He was the first name associated with the Bengals' search after they fired Lou Anarumo, whom recently was hired by the Indianapolis Colts for the same position.
If Golden does secure the Bengals' job like he's expected to, Graham will at least be still in play for a promotion of his own.
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