Williams joins Gase, Jets
Gregg Williams was hired yesterday as the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator, the first major staff addition by Adam Gase since he became coach.
The team also announced it has retained special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, whose unit had a standout season.
The 60-year-old Williams went 5-3 as Cleveland’s interim coach this season after Hue Jackson was fired. At his introductory news conference Monday, the offensive-minded Gase said he was looking for a “head coach of the defense” while he focuses heavily on the other side of the ball.
“We always appreciated competing against him,” Gase told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It was always a challenge. Always loved the way his guys played, the intensity they played with. They defended every blade of grass. I mean, they would always get after it.”
Williams is a controversial figure as he was suspended by the NFL for the entire 2012 season for his role in the “Bountygate” scandal in New Orleans. Saints defenwhose sive players were paid bonuses for injuring opposing team players.
Williams has since worked with Tennessee, the Rams and Browns — the past two as defensive coordinator. He previously was the head coach of Buffalo for three seasons, and has also served as the defensive coordinator for the Titans, Washington and Jacksonville.
The 47-year-old Boyer will be one of a likely few holdovers from former coach Todd Bowles’ staff.
Bucs hire Leftwich
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it official: Byron Leftwich is the team’s new offensive coordinator.
The Bucs announced the hiring a week after incoming coach Bruce Arians said the ex-NFL quarterback would call plays next season and Clyde Christensen would serve as quarterbacks coach.
Christensen’s hiring also was announced, when the Bucs said former player Antwaan Randle El is joining Arians’ staff as an offensive assistant . ...
The task of modernizing Denver’s outdated offense goes to Rich Scangarello, stellar work as San Francisco’s quarterbacks coach the last two seasons led to his hiring as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator.
Jags name DeFilippo
The Jaguars hired former Minnesota offensive coordinator John DeFilippo to the same position, hoping he can help revitalize one of the league’s least-productive offenses.
Coach Doug Marrone announced the addition of DeFilippo along with five other assistant coaches. DeFilippo replaces Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired in late November and landed in Green Bay.
Bevell to Lions
The Detroit Lions hired Darrell Bevell as their new offensive coordinator.
Bevell spent seven seasons as Seattle’s offensive coordinator from 2011-17 and was part of a Super Bowl winner with the Seahawks. Prior to joining the Seahawks, he was Minnesota’s offensive coordinator for five seasons and a quarterbacks coach for Green Bay.
Bevell was fired by Seattle in a coaching shakeup following the 2017 season, after the Seahawks went 9-7 and missed the playoffs.
Falcons’ McKinley OK
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley is with a family member in Oakland after undergoing a mental evaluation prompted by a friend’s call to Los Angeles police.
Falcons spokesman Brian Cearns told The Associated Press McKinley “is in a good spot” and has been in “constant communication” with the team, including coach Dan Quinn. Cearns said McKinley is with an uncle in Oakland.
TMZ Sports reported Tuesday night that a friend became concerned for McKinley’s well-being and summoned police. No criminal charges were filed. TMZ Sports says McKinley was cooperative when detained by officers . ...
The Buffalo Bills re-signed veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander to a one-year contract.
Alexander is a 12-year NFL veteran who said he wanted to play one more season and preferred it being in Buffalo . ...
Denver Broncos thirdyear long snapper Casey Kreiter was named to the Pro Bowl.