Bengals: OC Jay Gruden defuses coaching rumors
Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden saw his name mentioned by some media as a candidate for a number of head coaching positions, but he said he hasn't been contacted.
![]() |
Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has not been contacted about any head coaching vacancies. (US Presswire) |
On Monday, several NFL head coaches lost their jobs and dozens more were thrown around by the national media predicting who will be in line to replace them. With teams looking for a hot coordinator to become the next Mike Tomlin or Mike McCarthy, Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden popped up in more than one conversation as a potential suitor in Philadelphia and a number of other jobs.
Gruden, who refused to take an interview request with Indianapolis last year because he wanted to stay a coordinator in Cincinnati, owns a history of loyalty and dedication to family stability. He stayed in the Arena Football League for more than a decade with the Orlando Predators despite opportunities in the NFL.
On Tuesday, Gruden not only confirmed he had not been contacted by any NFL teams, but the concept of taking a head coaching job stands as far from his mind as his 22nd-ranked offense does from the top of the league rankings.
“I’m trying to get a first down right now,” Gruden said. “I’m trying to get these guys ready to go. That’s the furthest thing from my mind. I would be surprised. I haven’t heard from anybody. It’s not an issue.”
The Bengals coordinator is in his second year with the team and never held a position coach job in the league before taking this position in Cincinnati.
“Like I said, we haven’t played our best football offensively the last couple of weeks, and I’m trying to keep my job here,” Gruden said with a laugh. “Seriously, I am.”
Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter at @CBSBengals.