The Baltimore Ravens hired former Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator, the team announced during a press conference on Monday.
The Ravens also hired Rick Dennison as quarterbacks coach. Dennison was Kubiak’s offensive coordinator with the Texans.
Kubiak wanted to bring Dennison with him to Baltimore before he was hired. They both met with the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday.
Kubiak replaces Jim Caldwell, who was recently hired by the Detroit Lions as their head coach.
Kubiak was fired by the Texans in December. Houston ended up a league-worst 2-14.
—Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was hired as the Dallas Cowboys offensive play-caller, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
It is unclear what Linehan’s title will be, because Bill Callahan, who called the plays this past season, is the Cowboys offensive coordinator. Rapoport reported the Cowboys will not let Callahan out of his contract even though Linehan has been hired.
Linehan was the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2009 through 2013.
—Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is scheduled to have arthroscopic knee suergery on Tuesday to repair a meniscus he tore in September, according to CBS Sports.
Johnson was injured Sept. 22 against the San Diego Chargers. A day after the game, Johnson underwent an MRI, which revealed the injury. He played through it and finished the season with 1,077 yards with six touchdowns.
Johnson is expected to be a free agent. He should be recovered by the time free agency filing begins in mid-March.
—The New York Giants announced they hired Danny Langsdorf as their quarterbacks coach.
Danny Langsdorf was the offensive coordinator at Oregon State the past nine seasons.
Sean Ryan, who was the Giants quarterbacks coach the previous two seasons, will now coach the wide receivers.
Kevin M. Gilbride, the wide receivers coach this past season, will now coach tight ends.
—It was widely reported nearly a week ago that the Philadelphia Eagles had hired Bill Musgrave as their quarterbacks coach, and the team finally made it official on Monday by announcing Musgrave’s hiring.
Musgrave replaces Bill Lazor, who left to become the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins.
—The Atlanta Falcons extended the contracts of coach Mike Smith, vice president Rich McKay and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
McKay received a four-year extension through 2019, while Smith and Dimitroff each received one-year extensions.
—NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN Radio on that he appreciated the competitiveness of the Pro Bowl.
Sunday’s game in Honolulu was played under a new format. Instead of the traditional AFC vs. NFC setup, Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders picked players to form teams regardless of conference. Rice’s team defeated Sanders’ squad 22-21.
“You have to admit it was very competitive,” Goodell said. “Exciting. Fun. I think the players played much harder. I believe it was a very, very positive step. I salute the players.”
—Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll believes the NFL should consider medicinal marijuana as a possible way of treating injured players.
“I would say that we have to explore and find ways to make our game a better game and take care of our players in whatever way possible,” Carroll said. “Regardless of what other stigmas might be involved, we have to do this because the world of medicine is doing this.”
Goodell recently said the league may look into allowing medicinal marijuana.
—In a survey of 320 NFL players, an ESPN poll indicated that 85 percent of them would play the Super Bowl with a concussion.
Sixty percent of the players polled said the NFL is committed to player safety, citing the concussion protocol.