Schefter reported that the Eagles are expected to request permission from the Bengals on Monday to speak with Gruden. The Bengals play the Texans on Saturday afternoon. If Gruden is granted permission to speak with the Eagles, and accepts, he will be allowed to interview next week, even if the Bengals are not eliminated from the playoffs Saturday.

Gruden, 45, is in his second year as offensive coordinator for the Bengals. He has overseen the development of second-year players Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, both of whom reached the Pro Bowl in their rookie years.

This season, the Bengals put up 223.6 passing yards per game, as well as 109.1 yards per game on the ground. Green was once again named to the Pro Bowl, but perhaps most importantly, the Bengals have made the playoffs in both years with Gruden.

The younger brother of former Eagles assistant Jon, Gruden has taken a slightly unusual path to the NFL. He began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. Gruden was the head coach of the AFL's Orlando Predators from 2004-08. During that time, Gruden also worked in the AFL's offseason on his brother's Buccaneers staff as an offensive assistant. In all, Gruden was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002-08.

In 2009, he joined the Florida Tuskers (now the Virginia Destroyers) of the United Football League as the team's offensive coordinator. After a year, he was promoted to head coach/general manager, but left to join the Bengals for the 2011 season. Gruden signed a three-year extension with the Bengals last January.

The Eagles will spend the next several days interviewing candidates, including Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

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