Jackson’s Bengals season just ended Saturday, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he were a head coach by the end of this week.
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Jackson has been heavily linked to the Browns and 49ers after interviewing with them over the weekend, but the G-Men appear poised to throw their hat into the ring.
And if Jackson bypasses the 49ers, expect them to open the process up to defensive-minded guys, possibly including defensive coordinators like incumbent Eric Mangini, Chicago’s Vic Fangio (Harbaugh’s top 49ers lieutenant), New England’s Matt Patricia and Carolina’s Sean McDermott.
The Browns knocked out two more coaching interviews on Sunday, first meeting with Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and then Cincinnati offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. That’s made easier since Jackson doesn’t have to worry about preparing for next week.
So it’s possible that Jackson really is intrigued by Cleveland, or that he heard something he didn’t like from Baalke or York on Sunday, that he’s very open to jumping from both situations and trying to land the Giants job. As a senior, Jackson also lettered in basketball.
In Cleveland, Jackson would have the opportunity to help select the new general manager, but the GM won’t have control over the draft or other play moves. They first talked to Adam Gase, who took the Dolphins job Saturday, and they also interviewed Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Henderson, who’s expected to join Gase in Miami.
Former Raiders CEO and current CBS analyst Amy Trask has shared her respect for Jackson and how he carried himself and worked so well within a franchise, from the field to the front office. Still, Jackson was sacked after Oakland lost four of its final five games and he blasted his players after a season-ending loss to the Chargers that cost them a playoff berth. The Bengals ranked seventh in scoring (26.2 points per game), 15th in total yards, 13th in rushing and 15th in passing.
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“He was communicative and collaborative and he was always eager to assist in every way he could, throughout the organization”. That’s after the 49ers interviewed fired Eagles coach Chip Kelly on Thursday. “It’s nice to see that he’s getting some recognition and we’ll see how it goes”, Rivera said.
