Seahawks fill both coordinator posts
Schottenheimer, Norton added
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks hired Brian Schottenheimer as their offensive coordinator and are bringing back Ken Norton Jr. to oversee the defense.
The Seahawks officially announced the anticipated hires Tuesday after reports surfaced over the holiday weekend of agreements with the pair. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan released a statement Monday that Norton had been offered a coordinator position less than a week after Norton was hired by the 49ers.
The Seahawks did not confirm Norton’s hiring until Tuesday.
Norton was the defensive coordinator in Oakland before getting fired after 10 games last season. He was subsequently hired by the 49ers last week as an assistant head coach before taking the job with Seattle. He replaces Kris Richard, who was Seattle’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
Norton served as linebackers coach for Seattle from 2010-14.
BREES: Drew Brees dispensed with technicalities regarding his contract and spoke as if his return to New Orleans next season was virtually assured.
“It’s the same way I felt two days ago. It’s the same way I felt 12 years ago. I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me,” Brees said Tuesday in the locker room at Saints headquarters, where players were packing up for the offseason.
Brees acknowledged he’d have leverage if he chose to listen to offers from other clubs, but said he has no plans to do so.
PRO BOWL: Tennessee tight end Delanie Walker has replaced injured KC tight end Travis Kelce on the AFC roster for the Pro Bowl.
Also, Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams has been picked to replace Falcons WR Julio Jones. BENGALS FANS: Cincinnati fans are thanking Blake Bortles for helping Jacksonville oust Pittsburgh from the playoffs.
The Blake Bortles Foundation says more than 100 Bengals fans have combined to contribute nearly $5,000 since Jacksonville beat Cincinnati’s biggest rival, the Steelers, 45-42 last Sunday.
STEELERS: Todd Haley’s contract as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers is up.
And coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t sound as if he’s in a rush to decide whether Haley will be back next season.
Tomlin sidestepped several attempts to endorse Haley’s return on Tuesday.
“I don’t know where these roads are going to lead,” Tomlin said. “Some contracts are up. Some aren’t. I’m not ready to discuss that.”
EARNHARDT JR.: Retired NASCAR driver Dale Earnhard Jr. says he is interested in becoming a minority owner with the Carolina Panthers.
Current Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced in December that he is selling the franchise.
FOURNETTE: In Jacksonville, Fla., Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette escaped injury after he was involved in what authorities say was a minor three-car crash.
The team says the rookie’s car was rear-ended about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, and that he was not hurt. He was able to drive home afterward.
The Jaguars also say Fournette signed the rear bumper of his 2017 Mercedes-Benz Maybach — it was knocked off in the wreck — and gave it to one of the first responders on the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Fournette was not at fault in the crash.