NFL Player News

Brown was hired by the Bears as their passing game coordinator in 2024 and was promoted to offensive coordinator after the team fired Shane Waldron. A few weeks later, Brown was promoted to interim head coach after the firing of Matt Eberflus, where he remained for the final five games of the season. Brown still has a chance to land the Bears’ head coaching job, but the team is allowing him to interview with other teams while they interview other candidates of their own. Brown has held NFL jobs since 2020, and also spent one season as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2023.

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.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Fraley will add run game coordinator to his current title. Fraley interviewed twice for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator vacancy and some wondered if Fraley would follow new Bears head coach Ben Johnson to Chicago but in the end, Dan Campbell keeps his trusty blocking coach. If the Lions hold serve in 2025 after losing Ben Johnson, Fraley will undoubtedly receive more attention as a potential offensive coordinator next offseason. The move also means Detroit’s offensive coordinator role remains vacant.