CHIEFS’ PEDERSON WILL BE THE NEXT COACH OF EAGLES

philadelphia » Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson accepted the Eagles’ offer to become their next head coach, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the Eagles haven’t officially announced the hiring. Pederson can’t be officially hired as long as the Chiefs are in the playoffs. Kansas City plays at New England on Saturday.

Pederson started nine games at quarterback for the Eagles in 1999 and began his NFL coaching career as an assistant under Andy Reid in Philadelphia in 2009. Pederson followed Reid to Kansas City in 2013.

Philadelphia also interviewed Adam Gase, who was hired by Miami; BenMcAdoo, who was hired by the New York Giants; Tom Coughlin; and two of the Eagles’ assistant coaches during the 2015 season under Chip Kelly: Pat Shurmur and Duce Staley.

Titans hire Robinson as GMB

nashville, tenn. » The Titans agreed to contract terms with Jon Robinson, Tampa Bay’s director of player personnel, as their general manager.

The Titans also confirmed interviewing Doug Marrone for their head coach opening, the first candidate Tennessee has confirmed.

Robinson interviewed with the Titans last week. A native of Union City, Tenn., Robinson just finished his second season running Tampa Bay’s scouting department and overseeing both college and pro scouting.

McAdoo eager to lead Giants

B east rutherford, n. j. » Ben McAdoo needed two seasons to fix the Giants’ offense.

His job now is to get the franchise back on track.

The Giants confirmed that the 38-year- oldMcAdoo has been hired to replace Tom Coughlin, who stepped down a little more than a week ago after 12 seasons in charge.

McAdoo faces a big challenge. After winning their second Super Bowl title under Coughlin, the Giants have missed the playoffs the past four seasons. They have posted losing records the past three seasons, going 6- 10 the past two.

“We were all impressed with his energy, his enthusiasm, his vision and his desire,” Giants president and co- owner John Mara said.

McAdoo, who was the Giants’ offensive coordinator the past two seasons, will be introduced at a news conference Friday morning.

“I have been preparing for this moment my entire professional life,” McAdoo said.

Patriots’ Jones apologizes

B foxborough, mass. » Patriots defensive lineman Chandler Jones apologized to his teammates and New England fans Thursday for “a pretty stupid mistake” that sent him, shirtless and disoriented, to a local police station. Police who went to his house said it smelled like burning marijuana.

Appearing in the New England locker room with two minutes left in the team’s last media availability of the week, the Pro Bowl pass rusher declined to answer most questions and said he was focusing on Saturday’s playoff game against the Chiefs.

According to police records released earlier Thursday, Jones showed up at the back door of the Foxborough Police station at about 7: 40 a. m. on Sunday. “Without any warning or provocation,” Jones dropped to his knees and locked his hands behind his head, according to a write- up of the incident by officer David J. Foscaldo.

“Mr. Jones was unable to provide us with a plausible or legitimate explanation as to why he had gone to the rear door of our police station,” the officer wrote. “It was quite evident thatMr. Jones was desperately seeking our assistance, and he had not certainly committed any crimes.”

Jones was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was admitted and released the same day.