Bengals OC Jay Gruden Believed to Be Favorite for Jaguars New Head Coach

As the Cincinnati Bengals prepare for their first playoff game in two years, recent reports show their offensive coordinator is being coveted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

According to Albert Breer of NFL.com, Jay Gruden is the favorite to be the new head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

In his full report on NFL.com, Breer wrote that Gruden did inform that Jaguars that he is interested in the job but "he wants to focus on Saturday's AFC Wild Card game against the Houston Texans."

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The Jaguars are still expected to bring Gruden in for an interview, but the coach is aware of the risk he is taking in waiting. Gruden was told he's a strong candidate for the opening, according to sources.

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Having done a superb job in his first season has offensive coordinator for the Bengals, Gruden has every right to seize this opportunity to become a head coach of an NFL team. 

Nobody expected much from Cincinnati this season, but Gruden helped Andy Dalton have a successful season, finishing 9-7 and earning a wild-card spot. 

The Jaguars also have a young quarterback in Blaine Gabbert that needs better development. 

Of course, Gruden is preoccupied with preparation for the Bengals game against the Houston Texans, but depending on the outcome, he may end up bolting for the Jaguars. 

Brother of former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, Jay has bounced all over the coaching spectrum. He's never coached an NFL team, but has been the head coach of an Arena Football League team as well as a UFL team. 

Shahid Khan became the official owner of the Jaguars on Wednesday, and he told the Florida Times Union that he had three coaches in mind. 

Of course, he didn't say who they were, but earlier this week it was revealed that the Jaguars requested to interview five NFL offensive coordinators. 

Gruden was not listed there, but Breer states he is the favorite. 

The Jaguars are hoping to find a great offensive mind to help Gabbert be the leader they need him to be. He'll need some better playmakers, but the first step is finding a coach that will help mold Gabbert into a true star. 

It's unknown whether or not Gruden will actually be the new head coach of the Jaguars, but with a report stating he's the favorite, it's hard not to see him leaving the Bengals to take his first NFL head coaching job.