The Bengals have zeroed in on Todd Grantham

The job is his if he wants it.

The Bengals have zeroed in on their next defensive coordinator.

According to Fletcher Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Florida Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is who Cincinnati wants in that same capacity on Zac Taylor’s new staff. The job is Grantham’s if he wants it, but for now, no decision has been made.

Grantham is one of the best defensive play-callers in college football, but his NFL stint with the Browns from 2005-07 was one to forget. His best unit finished No. 11 in scoring defense in 2005 and No. 16 in total defense, though they finished No. 24 in defensive DVOA. They finished No. 21 and 22 in the next two seasons.

Then again, that’s the Browns we’re talking about, and there’s no doubt he would have far more talent to work with in Cincinnati with guys like Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, William Jackson, Jessie Bates, Sam Hubbard, Carl Lawson (if healthy) and Shawn Williams.

Despite major issues at linebacker, we saw Marvin Lewis take over and make that a very respectable unit down the stretch of last season. If the Bengals can add an impact linebacker or two this offseason, Grantham should do fine with everything he’d have to work with.

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