NFL Rooney Rule given adjustment
To ensure more opportunities for diverse candidates, the NFL has added requirements on the hiring of offensive assistant coaches, and women in general.
The moves announced Monday at the owners meeting include adjustments to the Rooney Rule adopted in 2003 and amended frequently in attempts to enhance opportunities for people of color and women for nearly all league and team jobs.
Beginning this season, all 32 clubs must employ a female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority to serve as an offensive assistant coach. The person will receive a one-year contract and work closely with the head coach and offensive staff to gain experience.
In recent years, head coaches have predominantly had offensive backgrounds. The pipeline for minorities on that side of the ball is lacking, as Steelers owner Art Rooney II reiterated Monday.
“We recognize we have seen progress on some fronts,” said Rooney, chairman of the league’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, “but we still have a way to go on other fronts.”
The NFL saw an increase in the number of people of color in all coaching positions from 35% in the 2020 season to 39% last season. There was an all-time high increase in defensive coordinators to 15, up by two; an increase in minority GMs (five to seven), and assistant GMs (three to six).
MCDANIELS: RAIDERS LOOKING FOR ‘SWEET SPOT’ IN CARR DEAL » Coach Josh
McDaniels said the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to build around quarterback Derek Carr and are looking for the “sweet spot” in finding an acceptable contract extension that won’t hamper the franchise in the future.
Carr is entering the final season of a $125 million, five-year extension that was the richest in the NFL at the time he signed it in 2017 but now is well below the going rate for veteran starting quarterbacks.
McDaniels said Carr is a fit for what he is trying to build in Las Vegas and he looks forward to growing their relationship into a long-term one.
“I think ultimately, you try to do what’s best for the team and I think both sides got to do what’s best for them,” he told reporters at the NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
MLB
PUJOLS RETURNS TO CARDINALS FOR A FINAL SEASON » With a wave of his hand and a tip of the cap, Albert Pujols walked back into the world of the St. Louis Cardinals for one final season.
“This is it for me,” the 42-year-old Pujols said. “This is my last run.”
Wearing a big smile and his familiar red No. 5 jersey, he emerged from beyond the right field wall at Roger Dean Stadium between the first and second innings of a game against Houston.
All these years later, the slugger who helped the Cardinals win two World Series championship was home.
The Cardinals and Pujols agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.