Monday was supposed to be "decision time" when it came to knowing whether or not the Buffalo Bills would grant permission to the Browns to interview linebackers coach Jim O'Neil to serve as defensive coordinator under head coach Mike Pettine. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Bills have granted that permission:
The #Browns have received permission to interview #Bills LB coach Jim O’Neil for the DC job. It’s a formality
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2014
By saying it is a formality, Rapoport means that it is basically a done deal: O'Neil will be the Browns' next defensive coordinator. After he is officially brought on board, it would be expected that several defensive assistants would soon follow.