Jason

Simmons

Simmons originally interviewed for the Steelers’ defensive coordinator vacancy, but that role is expected to go to Patrick Graham. Now Simmons will reunite with Graham and head coach Mike McCarthy. Simmons got his start as a coach in Green Bay and wound up spending nearly a decade there. He has since held the title of defensive pass game coordinator for the Panthers, Raiders, and Commanders.

What is the first order of business for the Mike McCarthy Era? Obviously it’s interviewing his old coaches. Simmons was with McCarthy in Green Bay from 2011-2018. He’s been Washington’s defensive passing game coordinator since 2024.

As Simmons pointed out last year, the Raiders ranked ninth in scoring defense last season. They tied for the second-most defensive touchdowns in the league last year with five and have been working as a coach since 2011. A former safety who was drafted in the fifth round by the Steelers in 1998, Simmons, as been a defensive passing game coordinator in each of his previous two stops, and will now enter a fifth-straight season with the title.

Simmons has a relationship with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt dating back to their days in Green Bay. While his role with the Commanders, should he get the job, hasn’t been specifically stated, Simmons is “considered a prime candidate” for a position on Washington’s defensive staff.

Simmons played 10 years in the NFL before transitioning over to the coaching ranks. He spent two years in Carolina coaching the secondary and will now hold the same title for Josh McDaniels’ staff in Las Vegas. The Broncos interviewed Simmons for their defensive coordinator opening a few weeks ago, but he did not get the job.

It’s unclear why, as the Broncos are widely believed to have already guaranteed Rams secondary coach Ejiro Evero their coordinating gig. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, “they’re still going through their process and Simmons was on their list of candidates.” Garafolo did not report that Evero is no longer considered likely to get the job. After spending nearly a decade in the league as a safety, Simmons has been rising up the coaching ranks since 2015.

Rookie Glenn Earl will not be available. The Texans’ safeties are susceptible to big pass plays.

No surprises or news here. Corey Bradford is healthy.

He hasn’t played since October 17th.