The Washington Redskins would like to talk to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin about their coaching vacancy, according to a report by Ed Werder of ESPN.
After an 0-5 start, the Redskins fired Jay Gruden on Monday, who had been their coach since 2014.
According to Werder, there are three names that Washington owner Daniel Snyder would like to speak to about the opening: Tomlin, former New York Jets head coach and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
A second report by Jason La Canfora of CBS called Tomlin Snyder’s top priority.
I firmly believe that Dan Snyder's primary objective in his next coaching hire will be to find a way to acquire Mike Tomlin from the Steelers. We'll see how feasible that may be
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 7, 2019
The Steelers would have to grant permission for the Redskins to speak with Tomlin, who signed a one-year contract extension that is scheduled to keep him in Pittsburgh at least through 2021, with an option year in 2022.
After losing starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and backup Mason Rudolph to serious in-game injuries, Tomlin’s Steelers have started the 2019 season 1-4.
Tomlin has some D.C.-area connections. He’s a native of Hampton, Virginia — about three hours south of the capital — and attended nearby William & Mary College. His oldest son, Dino, attends the University of Maryland, which is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside the D.C. Beltway.
The Redskins have named Bill Callahan as interim head coach and will wait until the offseason to hire a permanent replacement for Gruden.