The Cincinnati Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card of the playoffs, with the game kicking off on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. PT. The next day, Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is scheduled to interview for the Cleveland Browns vacant head coach position.
Fooch's update: Albert Breer is reporting Jackson will be interviewing with the 49ers on Sunday, as well as with the Dolphins.
If the Bengals lose on Saturday, Jackson will be free to interview for head coaching positions anytime moving forward. However, if the Bengals win, any first interviews will have to take place in the week leading up to the divisional round of the playoffs. That starts Sunday, and continues through the following Saturday. The Bengals can dictate days Jackson will be available, and it is not surprising Sunday would be one such day.
The San Francisco 49ers requested permission to speak with Jackson, but there is no word yet on when that interview might take place. We'll be waiting for word on the Sean Payton situation first, the 49ers are also expected to interview Bills assistant Anthony Lynn on Thursday, and Mike Shanahan might figure in there somewhere as well.