The NFC North champion Chicago Bears hired former Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano as their defensive coordinator to replace Vic Fangio.
Pagano inherits one of the NFL's stingiest defenses after Fangio left to take the Denver Broncos' head coaching job. He will get to work with one of the league's best pass rushers in Khalil Mack as well as All-Pro defensive backs Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson.
Pagano led Indianapolis to a 53-43 record and two AFC South championships from 2012 to 2017.
Pettine staying put
Mike Pettine is staying as defensive coordinator of the Packers, new coach Matt La- Fleur announced.
In his first year, Pettine installed a 3-4 scheme and had mixed results. First-round draft pick Jaire Alexander showed signs he will become the top cornerback the Packers need, and Green Bay ranked No. 12 in pass defense (234.5 yards per game), a big improvement over 2017.
Jets go with Gase
The Jets confirmed the hiring of former Dolphins coach Adam Gase as their new head coach. The 40-year-old Gase was 23-26 in three years with Miami, including a playoff game in the 2016 season, before being fired last week.
Joseph to Arizona
Former Denver head coach Vance Joseph was hired as the defensive coordinator on new Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury's staff.
Associated Press
