The Kansas City Chiefs have promoted running backs coach Eric Bieniemy to offensive coordinator, filling the job that Matt Nagy left open when he was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced the promotion in a statement Tuesday.
Bieniemy has spent five seasons with the Chiefs, joining the franchise when Reid was hired as the head coach. He has experience as an offensive coordinator during a two-year stint at Colorado, his alma mater, and also spent five seasons as running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.
Bieniemy was a second-round pick of the Chargers in 1991, and played running back for nine seasons with San Diego, Cincinnati and Philadelphia.
Raiders introduce Gruden • Jon Gruden finally decided the time was right to finish what he nearly achieved in his first stint in Oakland and deliver another Super Bowl title to the Raiders.
Nearly 16 years after he was traded to Tampa Bay following a crushing loss in the “Tuck Rule” game in New England and after a six-year courtship by Raiders owner Mark Davis, Gruden is officially back in Oakland where he started his head coaching career 20 years ago.
Gruden was introduced Tuesday in front of a large crowd that included nearly 50 former Raiders and nine Pro Football Hall of Famers as the coach Davis believes can carry Derek Carr and the Raiders back to the top.
Carolina fires Shula • Panthers coach Ron Rivera fired longtime offensive coordinator Mike Shula, saying the team’s offense needs a “different perspective.”
Along with Shula, the Panthers also cut ties with quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey two days after a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Bills address Incognito flap • Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said there may have been a misunderstanding during an on-field exchange that led to Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue accusing Buffalo guard Richie Incognito of using “weak racist slurs.”
Beane said the Bills have spoken to Incognito and understand their player’s side of the story from Buffalo’s 10-3 loss to the Jaguars in an AFC wild-card playoff game Sunday. Beane confirmed some type of exchange happened but declined to get into details.
Ravens name coordinator • Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to defensive coordinator, assuring a seamless transition in the wake of Dean Pees’ retirement.
Martindale has been coaching Baltimore linebackers since 2012. The 54-year-old was the defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos in 2010.
Jets player charged • New York Jets player Rashard Robinson has been accused of possessing marijuana-laced candy.
Authorities say the 22-year-old NFL cornerback was pulled over in Morris County, N.J., last month and police found “THC infused Peanut Budda Buddah Candy” in Robinson’s possession.
Robinson was arrested and charged with drug possession and careless driving.