An interesting update on the Bengals’ coaching search

UPDATE

Looks like it may very well be an offensive-minded coach outside of the organization.

The buzz continues to build for the Bengals hiring a coach who has recently been with the organization.

While the early buzz favored Hue Jackson to replace Marvin Lewis, it appears Vance Joseph could be jumping into the lead, at least based on a report from Albert Breer of MMQB. Breer also gave an interesting update on the coaching search involving other front-office personnel other than owner Mike Brown:

One nugget to emerge from the Bengals search: Owner Mike Brown’s kids—daughter Katie Blackburn, son-in-law Troy Blackburn and son Paul—have increasingly become more involved in running the team. Or it at least it seems that way to guys going through there. Those four, and personnel chief Duke Tobin, are the ones in the room for the interviews.

Ex-Broncos head coach (and ex-Bengals secondary coach) Vance Joseph appears well-positioned, but I’ve been told by guys from Marvin Lewis’ staff not to rule out former Browns coach Hue Jackson. Remember, Bengals ownership is probably less concerned with public perception, or reaction to a hire, than anyone else in the league.

It appears Jackson is still a threat to get the job, but I think it’s more likely he’s the team’s next offensive coordinator.

After the Bengals interviewed several candidates last week, it’s been oddly quiet on the coaching search this week. There was even a report that Cincinnati wanted to interview Gary Kubiak to be the team’s next offensive coordinator, which would suggest that the team already has a good idea of who its next coach will be.

Joseph is technically an out-of-house candidate, but he does have history in Cincinnati, and Brown likely prefers a coach he’s familiar with.

Before becoming the Broncos’ head coach for the past two seasons and the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2016, Joseph was the defensive backs coach for the Bengals for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Joseph was outed from Denver after he accumulated just 11 wins in two seasons, a big reason why he’s getting zero reported interest from NFL teams not named the Bengals.

If Joseph doesn’t get the head-coaching job, he’ll still be a strong candidate to be the Bengals’ next defensive coordinator.