Seahawks hire new coordinators

The Seattle Seahawks have hired Brian Schottenheimer as their offensive coordinator and are bringing back Ken Norton Jr. to oversee the defense.

Schottenheimer takes over for Darrell Bevell, who was fired after seven seasons in charge of Seattle's offense.

Schottenheimer was an offensive coordinator from 2006-2014 with the New York Jets and the St. Louis Rams. He spent the 2015 season as the offensive coordinator at Georgia before returning to the NFL the past two seasons as the quarterbacks coach with the Indianapolis Colts.

Norton was the defensive coordinator in Oakland before getting fired after 10 games last season. Norton replaces Kris Richard, who was Seattle's defensive coordinator for the past three seasons and was selected ahead of Norton for the job in 2015.

Bengals fans donate to Bortles' charity

Cincinnati Bengals fans are thanking Blake Bortles for helping the Jacksonville Jaguars eliminate 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.

Bortles threw for 214 yards and a touchdown in the victory. He says he appreciates the contributions and adds that Bengals fans "should know their support will make a difference."

A Cincinnati sports radio host encouraged Bengals fans to "pay it forward" and support the Bortles Foundation. Earlier this year, Buffalo fans donated generously to the Andy Dalton Foundation after Cincinnati stunned Baltimore and sent the Bills to the playoffs for the first time in 18 years.

Established in 2016, the Blake Bortles Foundation supports first responders in Florida and helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Source: Colts expected to hire McDaniels

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could soon be on the other side of an AFC rivalry.

A person familiar with the negotiations said Monday the Indianapolis Colts are "close" to reaching a deal that would make McDaniels their next head coach. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the two sides had not yet agreed to terms.

Even if they did reach a deal, though, league rules prohibit the Colts from making an official announcement until after the Patriots' season ends. If the Patriots beat Jacksonville in Sunday's AFC Championship game, the announcement wouldn't come until at least Feb. 5.

Earnhardt interested in NFL ownership group

Retired NASCAR driver Dale Earnhard Jr. says he is interested in becoming a minority owner with the Carolina Panthers.

Earnhardt told The Associated Press he was not asked by local businessmen Felix Sabates to join a potential ownership group, but said he did contact Marcus Smith, the CEO of Speedway Motorsports, to say he'd be interested.

Current Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced in December he's selling the team.