Word surfaced earlier this week that Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was considered a candidate for Tampa Bay's vacant head coaching position. Though we're still waiting on the Jeff Fisher to make a decision that may land Zimmer in Miami if Fisher chooses St. Louis, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have received permission to interview Zimmer, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Wade Phillips, one of the early candidates for the job recently told Tampa Bay that he "was pulling out of the process." According to SB Nation's own Bucs Nation, Zimmer is "just the latest name in a long list of coaches the Bucs have interviewed", though Zimmer is the second without any head coaching experience.

If Zimmer returns to Cincinnati to coordinate the Bengals defense, it will be his fifth season with the team as he enters the final year under contract. If he doesn't return then the early candidates to replace him range from defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle to former Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio.

According to NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora, Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will also speak with the Buccaneers.