Jay Gruden considered top candidate for Redskins job

The Washington Redskins appear close to finding their new head coach. They will interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Wednesday, and sources told The Washington Post that Gruden is now considered the favorite to land the job.

It's not yet clear if Gruden will accept the position because he still has other options open. He interviewed with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday and has an interview set up with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday as well. Gruden is the sixth known person to interview with the Redskins, who have also reached out to Darrell Bevell, Jim Caldwell, Rich Bisaccia, Sean McDermott and Perry Fewell.

Jay, the younger brother of Super Bowl winning coach and now ESPN analyst Jon, has worked with general manager Bruce Allen with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His only head coaching experience came in Arena Football, although he worked with Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett for a year in the United Football League. Gruden returned to the NFL in 2011, taking the offensive coordinator job with the Bengals.

Cincinnati has gone on to the playoffs three straight times with Gruden running the offense, but have been unable to get a win in that span. Gruden was a hot head coaching candidate last year, interviewing with the Cardinals, Eagles, Chargers and Titans before deciding to return to Cincinnati for another year. He is credited with helping to develop quarterback Andy Dalton, who set franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns in 2013.