AP source: Rams parting with Wagner

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Wagner’s release won’t be official until after the start of the new league year next month.

The 32-year-old Wagner was outstanding in his only season with his hometown Rams, who signed him as a free agent last March following a decade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Wagner started all 17 games at middle linebacker and made 140 tackles with a career-high six sacks and even two interceptions for the Rams, who went 5-12 in the worst season by a defending Super Bowl champion in NFL history. Los Angeles’ defense soundly outperformed its offense throughout the season, with Wagner’s strong play and leadership playing major roles while most of the Rams’ other star players struggled with major injuries.

Wagner signed a five-year deal with $20 million guaranteed when he joined Los Angeles, but his release before June 1 will create $5 million in salary cap savings for the Rams, who are currently about $14 million over the cap. His release also results in $7.5 million in dead money, according to Over The Cap.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A person with knowledge of the hiring tells The Associated Press that Sean Payton is bringing back ex-Broncos head coach Vance Joseph to Denver to serve as his defensive coordinator.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the hiring hadn’t been announced by the team.

Two other former NFL head coaches — Rex Ryan and Matt Patricia — also interviewed for the job in recent days.

Joseph coached the Broncos from 2017-18, compiling an 11-21 record before being replaced by Vic Fangio. He spent the past four seasons as the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville hired Nick Holz as passing game coordinator Thursday, landing a quick replacement for Jim Bob Cooter. Cooter left the Jaguars last week to become offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts under new coach Shane Steichen. Holz joins Jacksonville after spending last season as UNLV’s offensive coordinator. Holz spent the previous decade (2012-21) in a variety of roles with the Las Vegas Raiders. He worked his way up from quality control coach to assistant receivers coach.

BROWNS: Cleveland hired Ray “Bubba” Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator. He’ll replace Mike Priefer, who was fired earlier this week. Ventrone had led the special teams groups with the Indianapolis Colts since 2018. The 40-year-old was a special teams star for the Browns from 2009-12. He’ll be counted on to upgrade units that had little positive impact under Priefer.