Raiders’ new defensive coordinator is moving quickly to put together his staff. The latest addition is former Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons who is being hired to a similar position by the Raiders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Raiders are hiring Panthers passing game coordinator Jason Simmons for the same position, per source. Simmons reunites with Las Vegas DC Patrick Graham. The two were together in Green Bay.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 9, 2022
Simmons spent the past two seasons in Carolina as their defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach. The Panthers had the league’s second-ranked defense in terms of yards allowed last season while giving up the fourth fewest passing yards in the league.
Prior to 2020, Simmons had spent nine years in the Packers organization, most years as either a secondary or defensive backs coach.
He was on the same defensive staff as Graham in 2018 when he was the linebackers coach and running game coordinator and Simmons was the secondary coach.
Simmons played ten years in the NFL as a defensive back with the Steelers (1998-2001) and Texans (2002-07).
Simmons is the second defensive position coach reportedly hired by the Raiders along with DB coach Chris Ash. Other position coaches include QB coach Bo Hardegree and the retention of WR coach Edgar Bennett. The team also reportedly has hired Tom McMahon as special teams coordinator.
