Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach Paul Guenther has emerged as a possible candidate to join the Washington Redskins‘ coaching staff.

Guenther’s candidacy to join Jay Gruden, the Bengals’ offensive coordinator who was hired last week as head coach of the Redskins, could depend at least in part on whether Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer lands a head coaching job.

One person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday that Guenther would stay in Cincinnati and replace Zimmer as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator if Zimmer leaves for a head coaching job. Zimmer reportedly had a second interview Tuesday for the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching vacancy.

That person said Guenther would be in line to join the Redskins’ coaching staff if Zimmer stays in Cincinnati. The person described Guenther as a potential defensive coordinator for the Redskins.

It’s not clear what that would mean to the Redskins’ apparent plan to retain current defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Multiple people close to the situation repeatedly have said since Gruden was hired that the Redskins intend to keep Haslett and secondary coach Raheem Morris.

Both have ties to Gruden. Haslett worked with Gruden in the United Football League and Morris worked with him with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A shuffling of job titles might be possible.

The Bengals also appear to be pushing to keep Guenther even if Zimmer remains in Cincinnati. A person with ties to that team said he suspects Guenther would stay with the Bengals either way.

Have a Redskins question? E-mail Mike Jones at mike.jones@washpost.com with the subject line “Mailbag question” for him to answer it in The Mailbag on Tuesdays.

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