Former Raiders coach Del Rio joins ESPN as analyst
Jack Del Rio never shied away from giving his opinion as a player and a coach. He isn’t about to change his approach as an analyst.
ESPN announced the hiring Thursday of the former Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars coach as an analyst. His first appearance will be today on “NFL Live.”
The Hayward High product appeared as a guest analyst on ESPN during March. He’ll appear on various programs as well as analyze some games on ESPN Radio.
“This excites me about being able to learn about myself and the media business,” Del Rio said. “I’m not going to be afraid of having an opinion and something to offer.”
Del Rio said he talked to Arizona State coach Herm Edwards about his nine years at ESPN before deciding to take the position. He also joins a roster that features former coaches Rex Ryan and John Fox. Ryan and Del Rio were assistants at Baltimore, where they won a Super Bowl in 2000, and Del Rio was Fox’s defensive coordinator at Carolina and Denver.
Del Rio spent a year away from the game after being fired by the Raiders following the 2017 season. He said he traveled with his wife and only followed the game through his family’s fantasy football league.
Del Rio has quickly plugged back in during the preseason, visiting Saints, Rams, Cowboys and Chargers training camps.
“I think it was healthy to unplug and get away last year. I made the best of a situation that was awkward and abrupt,” Del Rio said. “I haven’t said I am done coaching. This allows me to still talk about and cover the game while reviewing game tape and providing an opinion.”
RODGERS SITS OUT » Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was held out of Thursday’s preseason game against the Ravens because of back tightness.
The Packers said the decision to keep him on the sideline “is precautionary.”
Rodgers was poised to play the first game since sustaining a concussion in the season finale last year. He sat out Green Bay’s 2826 win over Houston last week.
The back ailment means Rodgers will have to wait at least another week to test out the new offense employed by first-year coach Matt LaFleur.
NEWTON SET FOR DEBUT » Quarterback Cam Newton is expected to see his first game action since Dec. 17 when Carolina hosts the Buffalo Bills tonight.
Newton, the league MVP in 2015, missed the final two games of last season and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in January.
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel was the star of training camp for the Panthers. His speed, quickness and ability to create separation are quickly turning him into Newton’s favorite offensive option. Samuel will step into a starting role in his third NFL season and play alongside D. J. Moore after the Panthers let Devin Funchess leave in free agency.
ANOTHER EAGLES QB INJURED » Cody Kessler’s return to Jacksonville lasted seven plays and ended with a slow walk to the visitors’ locker room.
Philadelphia’s third-string quarterback was knocked out of the team’s 24-10 preseason win against the Jaguars on the opening drive Thursday night. Defensive end Datone Jones came unblocked off the edge and walloped Kessler in the back.
Kessler was escorted to the sideline, evaluated for a head injury in the locker room and then placed in the concussion protocol. The team already was without backup Nate Sudfeld, who broke his left wrist in the team’s preseason opener against Tennessee. Starter Carson Wentz rested for the second straight game.