Keeping an eye on Hue Jackson for head coaching vacancies

There haven't been any connections established or confirmed interests reported.

With that being said, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson could be mentioned in some circles as a head coaching candidate among the four teams with a vacancy... and more if Black Monday continues throughout the week. The San Francisco 49ers and Jim Harbaugh agreed to a mutual separation and the former Niners coach is headed to Michigan to reportedly become the next Wolverines head coach. The New York Jets and Chicago Bears fired their general managers and head coaches and Atlanta dumped Mike Smith -- but refused to call it a firing.

It's important for these teams to get a move on with their candidates list. Through the early hours of Black Monday, the San Francisco 49ers have already requested interviews with Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. The Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets are also showing interest in Quinn.

Could Jackson be a candidate as well?

Maybe. Assistant coaches on playoff teams with a bye week are allowed to interview this Sunday. Assistant coaches on wild card teams have to wait until next week, through the end of that Sunday.

Jackson's offense in Cincinnati finished 15th overall this season, led by a rushing offense that ranked sixth in the NFL. On the other hand, the passing offense has been an anemic 21st -- even with various injuries that have left a large impact.

On the other hand, Jackson went 8-8 as the Oakland Raiders head coach in 2011 and since his firing, the Raiders have gone 11-37 with Dennis Allen and Tony Sparano.

The New York Times, obviously covering the Woody Johnson press conference following the firing of Rex Ryan in New York, mention Jackson with a slew of assistant coaches.

"This is very, very critical right now," Johnson said Monday. "We’ve got to make some good decisions."

Among N.F.L. assistants, potential candidates could include the Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, the Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, the Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson; the Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and the Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase. In the college ranks, Gus Malzahn of Auburn, Jim Mora of U.C.L.A. and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame could merit looks.

According to Peter King, the Jets want to address the vacant general manager position and are reportedly looking at...

Ravens assistant G.M. Eric DeCosta and Vikings assistant G.M. George Paton believed to be the early frontrunners. Former Buccaneers G.M. Mark Dominik also could get some consideration, along with Falcons assistant G.M. Scott Pioli.

NFL Insider Jason La Canfora with CBS Sports speculates that Jackson may generate "some interest", largely for his head coaching history and overall coaching history. The Washington Post highlights Jackson's name as a possible candidate.

Figure that Jackson's name can/will pop up from time to time until these vacancies are filled.

The Bengals lost their offensive and defensive coordinators last season when Jay Gruden took the head job in Washington and Mike Zimmer followed in Minnesota.