The last few days of interest by the Cincinnati Bengals in University of Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have reached a crescendo according to a report by national insider for the NFL Network Ian Rapoport. In a remark made on Twitter, Rapoport says that the Bengals are targeting Grantham specifically for the job.

Looking for someone with experience, new Bengals head coach Zac Taylor would get that with Grantham having spent time with four different NFL teams in his nearly 30 years of coaching experience.

One of the highest paid assistant coaches in the game, no one but Grantham understands whether he wants to stay in the college game or move back into the NFL.

Grantham currently has two years remaining on his contract. He is slated to make $1.5 million as Florida's defensive coordinator during the 2019 season, then $1.5 million in 2020. However, sources confirmed to Swamp247 that Grantham was in talks with athletic association administrators about a raise and a possible extension.

But Wednesday, Rapoport (@RapSheet) said the Bengals are coming after the Gators coordinator in his Tweet.

Sources: The #Bengals have narrowed their defensive coordinator search to focus on #Florida DC Todd Grantham, and he’s back in the building this morning. The only question is, can the #Bengals and new coach Zac Taylor pull him away from UF?

Following Rapoport’s report Cincinnati Enquirer beat writer Fletcher Page posted that Grantham has been offered the job.

Update: The Bengals DC job is Todd Grantham's if he wants it, according to a source. https://t.co/lUHf6Zt4l0 — Fletcher Page (@FletcherPage) February 13, 2019

As the Gators defensive coordinator, Grantham helped produce a fairly significant defensive turnaround for Florida in 2018, fielding a unit that the Gators were able to work around for 10 wins.

Florida ranked 28th in total defense in 2018, giving up 343 yards per game. The Gators struggled somewhat against the run for the second consecutive year, finishing just 65th nationally by allowing opponents to run for 163 yards per game.

But the secondary was good despite a key injury to star cornerback Marco Wilson in the second game of the season. Florida finished ranked 13th in pass defense, giving up just 181 yards per game.

And the Gators were also a fairly good bend-but-don't-break defense, ranking 20th nationally and surrendering just 20 points per game.

It was the second year for Grantham under Mullen, the first-year head coach at Florida. Grantham followed Mullen from Mississippi State where he really turned around a defense that was ranked in the 100’s to a Top 10 finish in 2017.

Grantham runs a high-pressure defense that uses the blitz to get heat on the quarterback. A big key for this defense is the hybrid linebacker/ defensive end that can put his hand in the dirt or play standing up. Junior Jachai Polite played the position in 2018 and had a huge year totaling 11 sacks and six forced fumbles, the latter of which tied a school record. He brought in Grad Transfer Jonathan Greenard to help with the loss of Polite who has decided to turn pro after a great junior season. Grantham, recruited Greenard to Louisville where he coached before Mississippi State.

The next couple of days should tell us everything. Does Grantham want to stay in the college game and possibly prepare himself for a head coaching job in the college ranks? Or does he want to get back to the NFL where the money might be a little more, but the pension and security that comes with it can’t be beat?