Linebacker-turned-coach Jack Del Rio won't be joining the Cincinnati Bengals, ending weeks of speculation about the matter, according to a new report.
After potential DC Jack Del Rio and new #Bengals coach Zac Taylor pondered the future, both sides decided it wasn’t a perfect fit, sources say. They chatted early and made this call, instead. https://t.co/dL3DAXaZuh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2019
According to Cincy Jungle, Del Rio was supposed to interview for the position later this week, but ultimately decided it wasn't a good fit for him.
Considered the top target for the Bengals, Jack Del Rio was in the running for the position up against the New Orleans Saints' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. However, Allen decided to stay in New Orleans as their defensive coordinator, so his position remains secure, but interviewing was moot.
So now that Del Rio and Allen are off the table, who is up for the still-vacant defensive coordinator position?
According to Cincy Jungle, Dom Capers is looking like the best option. Capers is the former defensive coordinator of the Packers, but he was out of work for the past season.
But there's some suspicion that first-year head coach Zac Taylor could look at other coordinator candidates that may currently be on other NFL staffs. This is not to say that Capers wouldn't be a good pick for the defensive coordinator position, but this is to say that it would be a downgrade from the prospect of Del Rio.
After he retired from being a linebacker, Rio was the linebacker coach on the Super Bowl XXXV-winning Baltimore Ravens, and defensive coordinator on the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. He got his coaching career off the ground as an assistant strength and linebacker coach with the New Orleans Saints.
Del Rio also had successful stints as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders.
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