Major Changes In Pittsburgh

Dick LeBeau is resigning after 11 seasons as Pitsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator.

LeBeau was asked to step down by coach Mike Tomlin, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“I’m resigning. I’m not retiring,” LeBeau, 77, told the Post-Gazette. “It was a lot of great days, a lot of great years. It’s time to go in a different direction.”

LeBeau, who has been in the NFL for 56 years as a player and coach and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010, spent two stints with the Steelers and is the architect of the zone blitz that has been popular among 3-4 teams in the NFL for years.

Linebackers coach Keith Butler is expected to replace LeBeau.

CJ2K Has an AK?

—New York Jets running back Chris Johnson was arrested Friday night in Orlando, Fla., and charged with the open carrying of a firearm.

The Orlando Police Department confirmed the arrest for a second-degree misdemeanor but refused to disclose any details. Johnson, 29, was pulled over after rolling through a stop sign, according to ESPN.com. Police asked to search his car, and he cooperated. His licensed and registered firearm was found under a book bag under a seat instead of locked up. That resulted in the charge for “open” carrying.

Johnson signed a two-year, $4 million contract last year after being released by the Tennessee Titans. He rushed for career lows of 663 yards and one touchdown on only 155 carries.

Staff Shuffling By The Browns

—The Cleveland Browns officially announced that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s resignation was accepted and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains was not retained.

On Thursday, the Browns and Shanahan parted ways after reports surfaced that friction between the coaching staff and front office became an issue for the first-year assistant. Shanahan met with owner Jimmy Haslam on Wednesday and requested his release, which was granted. Loggains reportedly was fired the same day.

Shanahan, 35, was hired in February 2014 as Pettine’s first offensive coordinator with the Browns. Loggains was the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2012-2013.

—The Browns reportedly will interview San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman for their coordinator vacancy on Monday.

The 49ers have granted the Browns permission to interview Roman, according to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Roman, 42, remains under contract with the 49ers even after head coach Jim Harbaugh left for Michigan, but the team is permitting him to seek employment elsewhere.

The report also said Roman interviewed for the Buffalo Bills’ head-coaching job on Friday and had an interview Saturday with the Jacksonville Jaguars for their offensive coordinator job. In addition, the 49ers granted the St. Louis Rams permission to interview Roman for the same position.

—The St. Louis Rams have requested permission to interview San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman and former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, according to ESPN.com.

The Rams are searching to replace former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who left St. Louis on Wednesday to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Georgia.

Ben Says No To Pro Bowl

—Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger opted out of the Pro Bowl as a precaution and will not need offseason knee surgery, according to his agent.

Roethlisberger, who made his third Pro Bowl and shared the NFL passing title with New Orleans’ Drew Brees, posted his best season as a pro in 2014, throwing for 4,952 yards with 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He also had a career-best 103.3 quarterback rating. Brees will replace Roethlisberger in the Pro Bowl, which will be played Jan. 25, in Glendale, Ariz., site of the Super Bowl.

Roethlisberger hurt his neck in the Steelers’ 30-17 wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday night and was out three plays before returning to the game.