NFL Player News

Smith, who finished with five sacks across 16 appearances in his first year back on the field since 2015, was arguably Dallas’ best linebacker last year and will immediately inject a much-needed pass rush into Seattle’s front-seven. Although the 31-year-old faded over the last half of 2020, one could simply chalk that up to fatigue as his conditioning caught up to game speed. It’s a terrific opportunity for Smith to fight for one last multi-year contract next offseason.

Schottenheimer and Eberflus would make for perhaps the least exhilarating head coach-defensive coordinator tandem in the game today. To Eberflus’ credit though, he has fielded potent defenses in the past. “Eberflus was a Cowboys assistant from 2011-17" before accepting the Colts’ defensive coordinator gig. He spent the 2022-2024 seasons as the Bears’ head coach before ultimately being replaced in-season by interim head coach Thomas Brown.

Saleh previously held the same role with the 49ers from 2017-2020 before taking over as the Jets’ head coach in 2018. He was relieved of his duties during the 2024 season and briefly served as an offensive consultant for the Packers after that. Now back on the defensive side of the ball, Saleh will look to recapture the magic that made him a sought-after head coaching candidate four years ago.

Schottenheimer held the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator position from 2023-2024, evidently earning Jerry Jones’ trust along the way. Schottenheimer was initially hired in former head coach Mike McCarthy’s third season at helm as a coaching analyst in 2022. Though Jones was unhappy with the Cowboys’ recent results, Schottenheimer somehow managed to escape Jones’ ire. Jones punctuated the hiring by saying “Brian Schottenheimer is known as a career assistant. He ain’t Brian no more. He is now known as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”

MassLive’s Mark Daniels broke the news but McMillan’s role on the Patriots’ staff has not yet been revealed. McMillan was initially hired by Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, when Vrabel held the same position with the Titans in 2021. McMillan “primarily worked with Titans outside linebackers” that year before working “as a defensive line assistant coach alongside” Terrell Williams, who Vrabel recently hired as his new defensive coordinator.

The 25-year-old Jackson now gets a chance to earn a roster spot while Stefon Diggs recovers from a torn ACL and Tank Dell potentially misses the full season rehabbing his complex knee injury. The Texans also signed OG Jerome Carvin to a reserve-future deal.

Ben Johnson gets another one. This is the third Bears hire of the day and the second former Lion. Former Lions WR coach Antwaan Randle El was hired as the Bears’ assistant head coach and wide receivers coach earlier today, shortly after former Cowboys assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris was brought on board as the Bears’ new pass game coordinator. The 30-year-old Barrett joined the NFL’s coaching ranks as a Lions offensive assistant just three years ago before being promoted to the assistant QB coach position one year later. He evidently made a good impression on Johnson. The two will now develop Caleb Williams together in Chicago.

Mitchell practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, indicating the shoulder injury he suffered last week is at least manageable for the breakout rookie cornerback. Mitchell and Terry McLaurin have faced each other twice this season, with Mitchell allowing zero receptions in Week 11 and McLaurin handily besting him in Week 16. This is a matchup to watch closely on Sunday.

The Bears are moving swiftly. Schefter breaks the Randle El news, roughly 30 minutes after reportedly hiring former Cowboys assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris as pass game coordinator. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson is smartly putting up-and-coming coaches in leadership positions, making good on his promise to revamp the Bears’ system.

New Bears head coach Ben Johnson brings in an established and well-respected leader. A 14-year veteran as a player and a 12-year veteran as a coach, Harris can help Johnson adapt in his first-team head coaching gig while meaningfully mentoring the Bears’ young, talented core. Harris was reportedly instrumental in developing Cowboys cornerbacks Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis.

Prince held the same role with the Cowboys over the last three seasons but evidently sought warmer waters with Mike McCarthy no longer at the helm. Prince’s coaching career includes 13 teams over 35 years at both the college and pro level.