Former Raiders Coach Jason Simmons Heading to Commanders

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Aidan Champion | Last updated Feb 8, 2024 5:11 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders are losing a key member of their coaching staff.

According to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Thursday, former Raiders defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons is being hired by the Washington Commanders, where he will again hold the title of defensive pass game coordinator.

Simmons was hired by the Raiders in the 2022 offseason after he spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator of the Carolina Panthers.

Prior to Carolina, Simmons held many roles over the span of nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers, including defensive assistant and secondary coach (2011 to 2015-16), assistant special teams coach (2016 to 2017-18), secondary coach (2018-19), and defensive backs coach (2019-20). During the 2018 season, he coached with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham during Graham's lone season as linebackers coach and run game coordinator for Green Bay.

Simmons played 10 seasons in the NFL prior to his coaching career. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, Simmons went on to spend four seasons as a defensive back for Pittsburgh. He then played six seasons for the Houston Texans.

In total, Simmons played in 121 games throughout his NFL playing career.

Simmons will leave Las Vegas on a solid note, having helped lead a defensive unit that finished the 2023 regular season ranked ninth in scoring defensive (19.5 points allowed per game). He also will be leaving behind a much-developed secondary for the Raiders, one with a lot of upside going into the 2024 NFL season.

#Commanders are hiring #Raiders defensive pass-game coordinator Jason Simmons for the same role, per source.

Simmons has helped develop young corners Jaire Alexander, Donte Jackson and Jack Jones over the years. Raiders ranked ninth in scoring defense last year. pic.twitter.com/2d3gpWMAya
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 8, 2024

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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