During his introductory press conference, new Browns coach Mike Pettine said he has potential coordinator hires in mind. But he wouldn’t disclose them.
According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Pettine will bring from Buffalo to Cleveland linebackers coach Jim O’Neil as defensive coordinator -- if the Bills will release O’Neil from his contract.
NFL teams aren’t required to allow position coaches still under contract to leave for promotions elsewhere (other than to head coach), so the Bills could reject the request.
O’Neil, 36, coached with Pettine at the Jets from 2009 to 2012, before heading to Buffalo with Pettine last year.