Jay Gruden Is at the Top of Washington’s Coaching List

Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings are reportedly interested in interviewing Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, and they are not alone. Multiple teams are interested in Gruden including the Washington Redskins, who reportedly have Gruden at the top of their coaching wish list.

Daniel Snyder is so high on Gruden that, when he booted Mike Shanahan and his staff, he made a special point not to fire assistants who are buds with Gruden. It should also be pointed out that Redskins GM Bruce Allen is great pals with Jay’s brother Jon.

There are lots of dots to connect here, and once you connect them, it paints a picture of Jay Gruden standing next to Dan Snyder, smiling from ear to ear because he just got paid a buttload of money to coach the Redskins.

The only thing that might derail this seeming inevitability is Art Briles deciding he wants to leave Baylor and take up the challenge of QB whispering Robert Griffin III back to health.

Do the Vikes have any hope of winning a bidding war for Gruden’s services if Snyder and his bottomless pockets are on the other end? It seems unlikely. Of course, who knows if the Vikings are really that high on Gruden in the first place.

Rick Spielman has lots of candidates lined up, including Gruden’s fellow Cincinnati assistant Mike Zimmer. Defensive coordinator Zimmer has several things in his favor over Gruden including experience.

Neither Zimmer nor Gruden can speak to anyone until the Bengals’ season ends. The way Cincinnati has been going, their season might not end until after the Super Bowl. And if Cincy wins the Super Bowl? The price for guys like Zimmer and Gruden will only go up.

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