On the Texans’ HC radar for a second straight offseason, Josh McCown is now the team’s first known finalist for the position. The longtime quarterback is in Houston going through a second interview Friday, according to Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).
While Brian Flores emerged as the early favorite for this job, McCown has gained considerable momentum. The former Texans reserve quarterback is now all in on moving into the coaching ranks. He has yet to hold a full-time NFL coaching role. Flores has since been connected to other jobs. After meeting with Nick Caserio and Co., Flores went through a Giants interview Thursday and has received a request from the Saints.
The Texans met with McCown last week about their HC job, and the Jaguars soon spoke with the near-20-year veteran QB as well. This would be an outside-the-box hire, given McCown’s experience, but it remains firmly in play for the rebuilding franchise. McCown, 42, has been regarded as a future coach for a bit now. The Texans were interested in him for their HC job last year, but McCown was not quite ready to enter the ranks. He is now, injecting additional intrigue into this situation.
The journeyman passer finished his playing career in Houston, when he arrived after residing as a remote Eagles practice squad QB during the 2020 season. McCown did not see any action during Deshaun Watson‘s final year as the Texans’ starter but made an impression on the team. Here is how Houston’s HC search looks at this juncture:
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/14
- Jonathan Gannon, defensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/18
- Joe Lombardi, offensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/15
- Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Mentioned as candidate
- Josh McCown, longtime NFL QB: Conducting second interview
- Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed
- Hines Ward, wide receivers coach (Florida Atlantic): Interviewed 1/15
He’ll be hired tomorrow. John Granado and Lance said they’ll probably interview him again then give him the job the next day.
They are the most random team. They are looking at the most random people for the job. But hey it might work for them
mrshyguy99 To be fair, it’s probably not the most appealing HC job opening. You have to work under Jack Easterby, not a lot of talent to work with, and by far the most attractive piece on the roster (Watson), is caught deep in scandal and still wants to force his way off the team.
If you’re not a Davis Mills believer, what’s the appeal of Houston to a HC candidate with other options?
$22M contract like the last HC had and will be paid in full.
No way Culley was paid $22 million.
More like 2.2M
Huge Texans fan. Moronic choice if they choose to do so. Paying 22 Million to a coach they just fired for being in over his head and now choosing to the same once again.
I still refuse to believe it will happen. If it does, I will seriously have to consider my other options as a fan 🙁
I mean seriously, is Caserio truly so intertwined with Easterby that he thinks the most important thing for the Texans is to choose a coach that will mesh with the two of them rather than have coaching experience and the players’ respect?! Furthermore, I have to believe would infuriate most of the fanbase.
Also, I know a lot of coaches really want a chance to be a coordinator but what promising coach would want to be subordinate to a head coach that does not even have one year of coaching experience at any level?!! (high school helper does not count) I would almost be insulted as a coach.
He’s basically been a player/coach for the past five years.
Houston, we have a problem
More like they got 99 problems and going for more.
If Caserio screws this hire up, he better update his resume.
At the very least McCown can also serve as the back up QB who would likely be elevated to the starting job by the HC
I think this is nothing but a feint. The Texans have their eye on someone else who is playing hardball with respect to salary/control.
So they keep interviewing a guy with no coaching experience beyond high school?