Brandon Marshall will join some familiar faces in Chicago, and history suggests he’ll be right at home playing with former Denver teammate Jay Cutler under the direction of quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates.

Quarterback Russell Wilson put on a show Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin’s pro day

Rest paid off for Rams RB Steven Jackson, who is active for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks despite a strained groin. Jackson sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday, and he was limited Friday.

Seahawks wide receivers Deion Branch and T.J. Houshmandzadeh took the field on Tuesday for the first time this offseason.

The backfield situation in Seattle is crowded, and it will likely be awhile before we find out who in that crowd fits where. A slimmer LenDale White suggested this week he’ll have to gain weight back to get up to his playing weight.

The Seahawks have retained two coaches and hired 18 others to first-year coach Pete Carroll‘s staff, the team announced Thursday morning.

The Redskins have granted permission for secondary coach Jerry Gray to interview for the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator job, according to league sources, and a meeting could take place as soon as Thursday.

Lane Kiffin‘s first USC staff will include his father, former Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, and possibly ex-Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow. However, Kiffin will not say if any other assistant coaches with NFL ties or backgrounds will join the Trojans.

DeWayne Walker remains a top candidate to become Pete Carroll‘s defensive coordinator with the Seahawks, according to league sources.

Former Bills interim coach Perry Fewell will interview with the Bears on Monday, and is all but certain to receive an offer to become the team’s defensive coordinator.

Lovie Smith is almost certain to return as head coach of the Chicago Bears next season, according to league sources, but major changes could be coming for a team that struggled on both sides of the ball and fell short of expectations.

After interviewing for the Lions’ offensive coordinator job Monday, former Broncos wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch accepted a multi-year deal to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that former Broncos quarterback coach Jeremy Bates will be the new assistant head coach for offense for the University of Southern California. Bates, who tutored Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, also will call the plays for USC’s offense.