Here we go ...

What has has been the subject of rumor, speculation and Twitter comedy took a step toward actual reality Monday when Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell told reporters in Duval, Fla., the team would "be interested in talking to" former Giants coach Tom Coughlin about their now-vacant head coaching job.

The Jaguars canned Gus Bradley on Sunday after a 21-20 loss to the Texans dropped him to 14-18 in four seasons with the team. Former Bills coach (and one-time Jets target) Doug Marrone has been named interim coach for the final two games of the season.

It was always inevitable Coughlin's name would come up once the Jaguars fired Bradley. Before he won two Super Bowls with the Giants, Coughlin was the Jaguars' first head coach and general manager, coaching the team from 1995-2002. He went to two AFC title games with the Jaguars and still has a home in the area.

It's also well-known Coughlin has an interest in coaching again, and CBS Sports reported earlier in December there was "mutual interest" between Coughlin and the Jaguars.

Coughlin, 70, sat out this season after being nudged out by the Giants in January, instead taking a job in the league office. But he interviewed with the Eagles and 49ers earlier this year, and now Jacksonville could provide a strong fit for a return.

Coughlin has some knocks against him. His Giants tenure concluded with four straight non-playoff finishes and three consecutive losing years, and many blamed his in-game decisions for several losses during the 2015 season. Coughlin will also be 71 by opening day in 2017. No NFL head coach has ever been older than 72; George Halas and Marv Levy ended their tenures with the Bears and Bills, respectively, at that age.

But the Jaguars are not looking to rebuild. Given the young talent on their roster, they want to win now. Coughlin may not be the coach for the long-term, but if they are looking for a two- or three-year sprint, he may be their man.

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.