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NFL notes: Kubiak retires, McCoy and Kelly fired

Coach Gary Kubiak stands on the field prior to his final game as the Denver Broncos head coach on Sunday. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)
From wire reports
Coach Gary Kubiak stands on the field prior to his final game as the Denver Broncos head coach on Sunday. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)

Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak informed his players after their victory over Oakland on Sunday that he’s stepping away from the game and the team he loves. He said the grind of coaching was taking too big of a toll on his health.

Kubiak, 55, leaves with two years left on his contract and a 24-11 record in Denver, including a 24-10 win over Carolina in Super Bowl 50. Including his eight seasons with Houston, his career record is 87-77.

Broncos superstar Von Miller said he could see the season wearing on Kubiak.

“His health is the most important thing,” Miller said.

After an Oct. 9 loss, Kubiak was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a complex migraine, then forced to sit out Denver’s next game. It was his second major health scare. In 2013, while with the Texans, he collapsed on the field and was diagnosed with a mini-stroke. He was fired at the end of that season.

He was hired on Jan. 19, 2015, as Denver’s 15th head coach.

Chargers, last in division, fire McCoy

The San Diego Chargers have fired Mike McCoy following a second straight last-place finish in the AFC West and a third straight season out of the playoffs. The team announced McCoy’s firing about an hour after the Chargers lost 37-27 to Kansas City. McCoy was 27-37 in four seasons.

49ers fire Kelly, general manager

The San Francisco 49ers fired coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke after the team’s loss to Seattle in the latest overhaul for a franchise that has fallen from perennial Super Bowl contender to the bottom of the standings in three seasons. CEO Jed York announced the moves hours after the Niners (2-14) matched a franchise record for losses.

Texans-Raiders may feature QB changes

Houston and Oakland might have to switch quarterbacks again before their AFC playoff matchup.

The health of Tom Savage and Matt McGloin will be the deciding factors.

Savage was sidelined by a concussion in a 24-17 loss at Tennessee on Sunday, forcing Brock Osweiler back onto the field.

McGloin left Oakland’s 24-6 loss at Denver because of a left shoulder injury. If his injury proves serious, rookie Connor Cook could be quarterbacking the Raiders in Houston.