CFL team buys more time to negotiate with Johnny Manziel

HAMILTON, Ontario — The Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats have bought themselves more time to negotiate with former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel.

The CFL team issued a statement Sunday confirming that an offer was made to the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner. By doing so, the Tiger-Cats maintained his rights and prevented him from becoming a free agent.

The team had 10 days to make an offer to the 25-year-old Manziel, who remains on its negotiation list for another year even if he rejects the bid.

The former Texas A&M star played two tumultuous seasons in the NFL until the Cleveland Browns released him in March 2016 amid a number of off-field issues.

Hamilton (6-12) finished third in the East Division last year and missed the playoffs.

The Tiger-Cats re-signed quarterback Jeremiah Masoli on Thursday, one day after trading Zach Collaros to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Chicago Bears hire Chiefs assistant Matt Nagy as coach

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have hired Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as their new head coach, hoping he can help lift a foundering NFL franchise emerge from one of its worst runs in history.

The Bears announced the move Monday, a week after firing coach John Fox. The Bears are just 14-34 record in the past three years for a .292 winning percentage that ranks as the second-lowest in their history. They Bears were 5-11 this past season.

The 39-year-old Nagy spent the past 10 seasons working under Andy Reid in Philadelphia and Kansas City. He did not call plays until late this season, but drew praise for his work with Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. In Chicago, he will be trying to develop No. 2 overall draft pick Mitchell Trubisky.

The Chiefs won the AFC West, only to blow an 18-point halftime lead in a playoff loss to Tennessee on Saturday. The Bears met with Nagy in Kansas City on Sunday and wasted little time hiring him.

Chicago also interviewed Philadelphia quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, Minnesota and New England offensive coordinators Pat Shurmur and Josh McDaniels, Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards and Chicago defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Bengals hire Detroit's Austin as defensive coordinator

CINCINNATI  — The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Teryl Austin as defensive coordinator.

Austin spent the past four seasons as Detroit’s defensive coordinator, but his future was in doubt after the Lions fired coach Jim Caldwell last week. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis calls Austin a "bright and aggressive coach with a wealth of experience" and says he’s excited to add him to the staff.

The Bengals are bringing Lewis back after a 7-9 season. Cincinnati was 18th in the NFL in total defense this past season, nine spots higher than Detroit, although the Lions had 32 takeaways to the Bengals’ 14.

Austin interviewed for Detroit’s coaching vacancy last week.

Belichick 'absolutely' intends to return as Patriots coach

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.  — Bill Belichick says he "absolutely" intends to return as New England Patriots coach next season despite reports of turmoil involving himself, quarterback Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft.

Belichick said Tuesday he had nothing to add to the joint statement from the three last week in response to an ESPN report detailing an array of tension.

Asked about another report of his interest in coaching the New York Giants, the Patriots coach said he is focused on New England’s playoff game Saturday night against Tennessee.

The ESPN story highlighted purported disputes concerning Brady’s personal body coach and a supposed difference between Kraft and Belichick over the decision to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The story implied Brady has taken issue with a lack of praise from Belichick this season.

Brian Gutekunst succeeds Ted Thompson as Packers GM

GREEN BAY, Wis.  — Brian Gutekunst was promoted to general manager of the Green Bay Packers on Monday after working the last two seasons as the team’s player personnel director.

He succeeds Ted Thompson, who is staying with the organization as a senior adviser. The Packers said Gutekunst will have complete control over all roster decisions, including the draft and free agency.

The Packers went 7-9 in an injury-plagued season, finishing with a losing record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Gutekunst has been with the organization for nearly two decades after being hired in 1998 by Hall of Famer Ron Wolf.

The team also promoted Russ Ball to executive vice president/?director of football operations. Ball has been the salary cap expert and chief contract negotiator as the team’s vice president of football administration/?player finance.

Team president Mark Murphy announced the promotions, as well a change in organizational structure. Gutekunst, Ball and coach Mike McCarthy will all report directly to Murphy.

"The process of identifying our next general manager gave us the opportunity to analyze our entire football operation," Murphy said. "While we have enjoyed a lot of success, we need to improve."

He said the change will increase the "frequency of communication and collaboration. Ultimately, it will make the Packers better."

Ngakoue stands by tweet, says Incognito 'knows what he said'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  — Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue stood by his tweet accusing Buffalo Bills guard Richie Incognito of using "weak racist slurs" during their playoff game, but declined Monday to provide more details about what was said.

Ngakoue called out Incognito on Twitter hours after Sunday’s wild-card game, referring to him by his No. 64 jersey.

Ngakoue backed up his tweet Monday, saying, "He said what he said. He knows what he said. I don’t have to repeat it."

Incognito was not present in the locker room during Buffalo’s hour-long media availability Monday. He also did not respond to a text message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Ngakoue adds, "I’ve been playing this game since I was a little kid. You hear all type of stuff. Stuff’s not going to bother you, but somebody says something about your ethnicity, that’s really kind of taking it a little too far. I’m all with trash talk. It’s part of the game, but you can’t say certain things."

NFL, NFLPA to review how Panthers handled hit on QB Newton

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NFL and NFL Players Association plan to conduct a joint review to determine if the Carolina Panthers followed the correct concussion protocol with quarterback Cam Newton in their 31-26 playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

If the concussion protocol was not properly followed the team is subject to discipline, including a $150,000 fine.

Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney said the medical staff "did everything the right way" when it came to handling Newton’s injury.

Newton took a shot to the head area from Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata midway through the fourth quarter. Newton took a knee as he walked toward the sideline and pointed toward his right eye. He sat out one play, but returned on the next series and finished the game.