Bengals linebackers coach Paul Guenther is emerging as a potential defensive coordinator in multiple places.
Guenther could head to Washington to be the defensive coordinator for new head coach Jay Gruden, as reported on Thursday by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Adam Caplan of ESPN reported today that Gruden is interested in talking to Guenther, but that the Bengals could block that move because they might want to hold on to Guenther themselves so they can promote him to defensive coordinator if Mike Zimmer leaves to become a head coach elsewhere. It’s also possible that if Zimmer gets a head-coaching job, Guenther could follow him and become Zimmer’s defensive coordinator.
Guenther is under contract to the Bengals for the 2014 season, so he can’t leave to join another head coach’s staff unless Marvin Lewis OKs it. Guenther has particularly received credit for his work with Vontaze Burfict, who rapidly rose from undrafted rookie to one of the NFL’s top linebackers.
Guenther has been with the Bengals since 2005 and previously spent two seasons in Washington.