The New England Patriots essentially got Jay Gruden fired, and it appears a former Patriot is a candidate to take his old job.
Redskins offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell is a name to watch to replace Gruden as head coach in Washington, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Monday.
Washington parted ways with Gruden on Monday morning after a 33-7 loss to the Patriots on Sunday dropped the team to 0-5.
If the Redskins want an internal candidate, O'Connell apparently is a strong choice: According to the MMQB's Albert Breer, the ex-quarterback is drawing comparisons to coaching wunderkind Sean McVay, who held O'Connell's old job in Washington before becoming the Los Angeles Rams' head coach at age 30.
O'Connell, 34, was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 and spent one year in New England before bouncing between four teams as a career backup.
If he lands the Washington gig, though, he'd become the third former Patriots player to be an active NFL coach, joining the Arizona Cardinals' Kliff Kingsbury and the Tennessee Titans' Mike Vrabel.
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