With so much going on around the NFL right now and the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, here are the latest news and rumors around the league from PFN National NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. Make sure to continue to check back here as we update you with the most recent NFL news and rumors on February 18, 2022.
NFL News and Rumors: Texans hire Kenyon Jackson as assistant defensive line coach
The Houston Texans have hired former Miami Dolphins coaching assistant and Illinois defensive tackle Kenyon Jackson as assistant defensive line coach, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Jackson played for new Texans head coach Lovie Smith at Illinois.
Jackson is the son of retired six-time Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl tight end Keith Jackson. As a junior at Illinois, Kenyon had 18 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. In his final collegiate season, Jackson had a tackle for a loss to help engineer an upset victory over Wisconsin.
A Little Rock, Arkansas native, Jackson was a former all-state selection who had 75 tackles and 14.5 sacks as a junior in high school
His brother, Keith Jackson Jr., was an All-SEC defensive lineman at Arkansas.
Ravens hire Mike Devlin as assistant line coach
The Baltimore Ravens hired former Houston Texans offensive line coach Mike Devlin as their assistant offensive line coach, according to a league source.
Devlin, 52, has also coached the New York Jets offensive line and tight ends and been a quality control coach for the Arizona Cardinals. He spent last season working for Rice University after former Texans coach Bill O’Brien was fired. He has also coached at Toledo.
A former NFL offensive lineman who was a Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year at Iowa, Devlin played for the Cardinals and Buffalo Bills.
NFL News and Rumors: Dolphins finalize coaching staff
The Miami Dolphins finalized their coaching staff.
That included offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Danny Crossman as special teams coordinator, and Josh Boyer as defensive coordinator.
The Dolphins also hired the following coaches for Mike McDaniel’s staff offensive staff: Matt Applebaum (offensive line), Darrell Bevell (quarterbacks/passing game coordinator), Jon Embree (assistant head coach/tight ends), Josh Grizzard (quality control), Chandler Henley (assistant quarterbacks), Lemuel Jeanpierre (assistant offensive line), Mike Person (offensive assistant), Aldrick Robinson (offensive assistant), Kolby Smith (offensive assistant), Eric Studesville (associate head coach/running backs), and Wes Welker (wide receivers).
On defense and special teams, Miami hired the following: Mathieu Araujo (assistant defensive backs), Anthony Campanile (linebackers), Austin Clark (defensive line), Steve Ferentz (assistant linebackers), Steve Gregory (safeties), Derrick LeBlanc (assistant defensive line), Sam Madison (cornerbacks/pass game specialist), Ty McKenzie (outside linebackers), Ryan Slowik (senior defensive assistant), Patrick Surtain (defensive assistant), Brendan Farrell (assistant special teams), and Dave Puloka (head strength and conditioning coach).
Packers hire outside linebackers coach
The Green Bay Packers replaced outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, who was told he was free to pursue other jobs. They hired Jason Rebrovich as his replacement.
Rebrovich is a former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line coach who coached Josh Allen as a rookie when he recorded 10.5 sacks. He was previously the Jaguars’ assistant defensive line coach and has also coached the Buffalo Bills’ defensive line and outside linebackers.
Packers officially hire Tom Clements
The Green Bay Packers made it official Friday, announcing that Tom Clements is their new quarterbacks coach one day after he signed his contract to rejoin the NFC North franchise and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Pro Football Network previously reported that Clements had been hired by the Packers in a move intended to bolster their strengthening relationship with the NFL’s MVP.
Clements, 68, comes out of retirement to coach Rodgers again. Rodgers is contemplating his future and hasn’t made a decision. Yet, Green Bay is pulling out all the stops to convince him to return, with expectations that they will make a huge financial commitment to the veteran QB, according to league sources.
Clements retired a year ago, and now he’s back with the Packers. He previously worked with Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and Rodgers as a quarterbacks coach before becoming Green Bay’s offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
Clements was credited with helping to develop Rodgers at the start of his career to become Favre’s replacement. Rodgers is the only player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards in his first two seasons as a starter. He also won Super Bowl XLV and earned Super Bowl MVP.
In 2011, with the Packers’ record at 14-1, Matt Flynn started the regular-season finale and threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns in one record-setting game. That helped to propel Flynn into free agency.
Commanders hire Juan Castillo as tight ends coach
The Washington Commanders have hired veteran assistant coach Juan Castillo as their new tight ends coach. Castillo now replaces retired coach Pete Hoener, according to league sources.
Castillo is a former Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills offensive line coach. He was also a run game coordinator for the Bills.
A former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Castillo, played linebacker for the San Antonio Gunslingers in the USFL. He has coached tight ends previously for the Eagles and has been an offensive analyst for the Michigan Wolverines prior to joining the Bears.
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL in regard to your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 50 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free-agent market.