The Bengals have given the Eagles permission to interview Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden for their head coaching vacancy, an Eagles spokesman said Monday.
Gruden, 45, is the younger brother of former Eagles offensive coordinator and Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden. The Eagles requested permission Saturday to speak with Gruden. It was granted Monday.
Gruden becomes the eighth official candidate to replace Andy Reid, fired last Monday after 14 seasons as head coach.
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The Eagles have already interviewed college coaches Bill OBrien of Penn State and Chip Kelly of Oregon, who both returned to coach in college; Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy; and Falcons assistants Keith Armstrong and Mike Nolan.
They have been granted permission to interview Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Colts offensive coordinator and interim head coach Bruce Arians.
The Bengals season ended on Saturday with a 19-13 wild-card loss to the Texans. The Bengals netted just 198 yards of offense and six points on offense in Houston, with their only touchdown coming on an interception return.
Gruden has been the Bengals offensive coordinator for two years after spending seven years coaching in the Arena League. From 2002 through 2008, he was on his brothers staff in Tampa holding the title of offensive assistant.
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Gruden was a pro quarterback from 1991 through 2003 in various leagues, including the World League and Arena League. Earlier this year, he was voted the fourth-greatest player in Arena League history. Gruden won four Arena Bowls as a player and two more as a head coach.
This week last year, Gruden signed a contract extension with the Bengals, turning down requests to interview for head coaching vacancies with the Jaguars, Rams and Colts.
In Grudens two years on Marvin Lewiss staff in Cincinnati, the Bengals ranked 18th and 12th in points per game and 20th and 22nd in yards per game.
But the Bengals did go 9-7 and 10-6 the last two years, their first consecutive winning seasons since 1975 and 1976.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.