Nagy mentor Childress won’t return to Bears
The Bears’ offensive coaching overhaul won’t include Brad Childress.
Childress, who was a mentor for coach Matt Nagy, told Cleveland.com he has already told Nagy he won’t return as the Bears’ senior offensive assistant next season, presumably to retire. His contract expires next month.
Childress was set to retire two years ago before following Nagy to Chicago, where he served as a senior offensive consultant through the 2018 training camp. After an ill-fated, brief stint with the now-defunct Alliance of American Football, Childress returned to the Bears a year ago.
Panthers LB Kuechly retires
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is retiring at age 28 after eight seasons in the NFL. Kuechly was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro five times. He was the NFL’s Rookie of the Year in 2012 and its Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. However, he suffered three concussions during his career, which likely led to his decision.
Panthers name Brady OC, Snow DC
The Panthers agreed to terms on a contract to make LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady their new offensive coordinator. Under Brady, LSU led the nation in points and yards passing while going 15-0 this past season. He was an offensive assistant for the Saints (2017-18) before becoming LSU’s passing coordinator.
Also, Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow is expected to join new coach Matt Rhule in Charlotte as defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN. Snow and Rhule have been together since 2013, first at rebuilding Temple and then from 2017 to ’19 at Baylor.
Gates retires as all-time TD leader for TEs
Chargers eight-time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates announced his retirement. Gates, 39, who last played in 2018, is the Chargers’ career leader in receptions (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdown catches (116). He spent his entire 16-year career with the team. His 116 touchdown catches are the most by a tight end in league history.
This and that
The Hollywood (Florida) Police Department and its athletic league have cut ties with receiver Antonio Brown and returned a donation given by Brown after an obscene outburst toward the police and the mother of his children Monday.
♦ The Raiders fired defensive line coach Brentson Buckner after one season. He will be replaced by veteran NFL coach Rod Marinelli.
♦ The Falcons will unveil new uniforms for the 2020 season in April.