After serving with the 49ers as a senior offensive assistant in 2013 and a tight ends coach in 2014, Eric Mangini was released from his contract when Jim Harbaugh left for Michigan. But Mangini will be brought back to San Francisco as the team's new defensive coordinator with a three-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Eric Mangini hired as 49ers defensive coordinator, Steelers working to extend Ben Roethlisberger
NFL staffs are starting to fill up, while Roethlisberger is poised to cash in on a career year.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mangini, the former head coach of the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, spent years as a defensive assistant for the New England Patriots. His one season as defensive coordinator wasn't stellar, but he does have a strong history of developing defensive backs.
David Fucillo of Niners Nation has questions about how exactly Mangini will fit in.
I am curious to see how the play-calling and game-planning structure will work for Mangini as defensive coordinator. Does Tomsula have a vision that Mangini will scheme around? Or will Mangini be in charge for the most part? We don’t know (and probably will never know for certain), but it is something that makes this a difficult situation to fully interpret.
Steelers working on new contract for Big Ben
With Ben Roethlisberger heading into the final season of his contract, Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II is intent on locking him down with a long-term extension.
“I think it is fair to say the sooner the better,” Rooney told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review when asked about reaching a deal with his franchise quarterback. “But I am not going to put any particular time frame on these things. It is kind of hard to predict how long it takes to get something done. But we certainly want to get something done this offseason. That’s for sure.”
After Roethlisberger set career highs in completions, yards and completion percentage, Chris Wesseling of NFL.com speculates that he’ll land a contract over $50 million in guarantees and at least $20 million in annual salary.
NFL teams filling in assistant spots
Mangini isn’t the only coach about to land a new gig. Here’s a quick rundown of the recent coaching news:
- Wade Phillips has been contacted by the Denver Broncos about their vacant defensive coordinator job, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold.
- Oakland Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano will be hired to replace Mangini as the 49ers tight ends coach, according to Schefter.
- Florida State defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri is also expected to join the Raiders staff in an unspecified capacity, according to Tomahawk Nation.
- One more for the Raiders: former Buffalo Bills quarterback coach Todd Downing will be coaching the quarterbacks in Oakland, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan.
- Boston College OC Ryan Davis is expected to be hired as the quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Caplan.
- Green Bay Packers offensive line coach is expected to take that same role with the New York Jets, according to Caplan.
- This one's official: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian will be their new quarterbacks coach, according to ESPN's Brett McMurphy.
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