CLEVELAND — Jim Schwartz has resigned as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator after three seasons.

The team announced Friday that Schwartz handed in his letter of resignation a day earlier. Schwartz has led one of the league’s top defenses over the past three seasons but was upset about being passed over for the head coach job, after many thought he was the favorite to replace Kevin Stefanski.

The Browns hired Todd Monken as their head coach on Jan. 29. Monken said during his introductory news conference on Tuesday that he had spoken with Schwartz but didn’t have an update on whether he would be back. Schwartz was under contract for one more season.

Monken also said there were no plans to change the defensive system if Schwartz decided to move on

Ex-QB Jurgensen

dies at 91

Sonny Jurgensen, the Hall of Fame quarterback whose strong arm, keen wit and affable personality made him one of the most beloved figures in Washington football history, has died. He was 91.

A Washington Commanders spokesperson confirmed Friday the team learned of Jurgensen’s death that morning from his family, who said he died of natural causes in Naples, Florida, after a brief stay in hospice care.

“We are enormously proud of his amazing life and accomplishments on the field, marked not only by a golden arm but also a fearless spirit and intellect that earned him a place among the legends in Canton,” his family said in a statement. “He lived with deep appreciation for the teammates, colleagues and friends he met along the way. While he has taken his final snap, his legacy will remain an indelible part of the city he loved and the family he built.”

Jurgensen arrived in Washington in 1964 in a surprise quarterback swap that sent Norm Snead to the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the next 11 seasons, Jurgensen rewrote the team’s record books.

He topped 3,000 yards in a season five times, including twice with Philadelphia, in an era before rules changes opened up NFL offenses. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

Kingsbury joining Rams

LOS ANGELES — Kliff Kingsbury is joining Sean McVay’s coaching staff with the Los Angeles Rams, a person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the Rams haven’t announced the addition of Kingsbury, the respected offensive mind who coached against McVay and the Rams for four seasons in the NFC West as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams haven’t settled on a formal title for Kingsbury. McVay has a vacancy at offensive coordinator after Mike LaFleur landed the Cardinals’ head coaching job, but up-and-coming assistant Nate Scheelhaase — who interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs last month — is also returning from the current staff.

Kingsbury spent the past two seasons as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, leading a powerful offense to the NFC championship game in the 2024 season. He mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Dan Quinn after the Commanders went 5-12 this season while quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin struggled with major injuries.

Bediako will play for Tide Saturday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — An Alabama circuit judge didn’t rule immediately following Charles Bediako’s lawsuit hearing against the NCAA on Friday, clearing a path for the 7-footer to continue to play.

The Crimson Tide travel to rival Auburn on Saturday.

County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet said he would have a ruling “soon” but did not provide one by the end of the business day. Bediako is expected to keep playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed him to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility.

The 23-year-old Bediako is averaging 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in four outings. Alabama is 2-2 in those contests.

The Associated Press