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Although Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin could be available to be hired by the Dolphins fairly soon, there’s increasing chatter in league circles that the Dolphins are presently leaning toward Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

The move would reunite Zimmer and Miami G.M. Jeff Ireland, who spent six seasons together from 2001 through 2006 as employees of the Cowboys.

Zimmer, 55, has spent four seasons with the Bengals. The organization rallied around Zimmer in 2009, when his wife, Vikki, suddenly died.

The Bengals feared losing both Zimmer and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden after an unlikely playoff berth in 2011. Gruden has opted to stay. It would actually hurt a little less for Zimmer to go, given that head coach Marvin Lewis was a defensive coordinator before taking over the team in 2003.

Zimmer also is a candidate for the head-coaching vacancy in Tampa.