Bengals one of two with head coaching vacancy and all candidates interviewed available
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Bengals are now one of only two NFL teams still in search of a head coach, and after six teams filled their vacant head coaching spots over the last few days each of the candidates the Bengals have interviewed to this point are still in play.
ESPN reported Wednesday night that the New York Jets are going to hire Adam Gase as their next head coach.
The Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns became the latest two teams to hire a head coach when each reportedly did so on Wednesday.
The Broncos have reportedly tabbed Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and the Browns have reportedly promoted offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.
That comes one day after the Arizona Cardinals hired former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in Bruce Arians, who had briefly retired after coaching the Cardinals from 2013-2017.
It was reported on Monday that the Green Bay Packers were going to hire former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, and the team made that official on Tuesday night.
That means that each of the eight candidates the Bengals interviewed to replace Marvin Lewis are still in play. They are:
- Bengals special assistant Hue Jackson
- Former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph
- Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy
- Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken
- Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor
- Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron
- Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor
- Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons
Jackson, Joseph and Bieniemy are considered the three favorites to land the position.
Albert Breer of MMQB reported on Monday that Joseph "appears well-positioned" to land the job, while current members of the coaching staff told Breer not to rule out Jackson.
Bieniemy played for the Bengals from 1995-98.
The only other NFL team with a head coaching vacancy still is the Miami Dolphins.
