Nick Sirianni To Call Eagles’ Plays
The Eagles have a new head coach in Nick Sirianni and a new offensive coordinator in Shane Steichen. However, Sirianni will be the one calling plays. 
[RELATED: Duce Staley Joins Lions]
“I do plan on calling the plays,” Sirianni told the team website. ““I know we’re going to work really hard throughout the week to make sure we’re ready,” Sirianni said. “And then we’re built with the right people in place to handle the challenges that I foresee as the most challenging things.”
The challenge, Sirianni says, will be to manage all aspects of the game while also calling the plays. Interesting, Sirianni has never called plays at the NFL level, despite serving as the Colts’ offensive coordinator in his last job. The Eagles trust his judgement, however. The 39-year-old guided the Colts through their transition from Andrew Luck to Philip Rivers. Under Sirianni’s watch, Rivers completed 68% of his throws for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns against eleven interceptions, leading Indy to the playoffs.
Recently, Sirianni also tapped a new quarterbacks coach, though the status of the actual QB position remains murky.
Texans Officially Hire David Culley
It’s official. On Friday morning, the Texans formally announced the hiring of David Culley as their new head coach. 
[RELATED: Panthers To Pursue Watson Trade]
“Throughout his entire coaching career, David has shown an ability to lead and bring people together,” said Texans CEO Cal McNair in a statement. “David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team as somebody who has seen it all in this league. In his over 40 years of coaching, David has learned from many of the best coaches in the NFL while helping players navigate both the physical and mental side of the game. Highly regarded individuals from all over the league reached out to us throughout this process in support of David because of his unique ability to connect with those around him and his passion for the game and the relationships he creates.”
Culley spent the first 16 years of his coaching career in the college ranks before transitioning to the pros. In the NFL, the 65-year-old served as a key assistant for the Eagles, Chiefs, and Ravens. Beloved by Andy Reid and John Harbaugh, Culley came out of nowhere to win the Texans job. To some, that was a head-scratcher, but many around the league have applauded the Texans for their non-traditional hire. Of course, the list of believers includes new Houston GM Nick Caserio.
“Heading into this process, it was imperative to find a head coach that our entire organization could rally behind and David is unquestionably that leader,” Caserio said. “David’s infectious energy, passion for the game and ability to command a room was clear from the start. As he shared his vision for how a head coach should lead a football team, it further solidified our belief in him.”
Now, the bad news: Deshaun Watson still wants out. Teams have already begun circling the wagons and the Panthers may be among the most “aggressive” suitors.
Titans To Promote Todd Downing To OC
The Titans are expected to promote tight ends coach Todd Downing to the role of offensive coordinator (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Downing takes over for Arthur Smith, who has left to serve as the Falcons’ head coach. 
Smith also went from the Titans’ TE guru to the OC role, so the organization is hoping for similar success this time. Downing, 40, started out in the NFL as a football systems analyst with the Vikings in 2003. Since then, his NFL journey has included stops with the Rams, Lions, Bills, and Raiders.
This marks Downing’s second pro stint as an OC with his first coming in Oakland. Things didn’t go as planned for Downing as he lost quarterback Derek Carr to a serious back injury in the fall. Ultimately, his team placed near the middle of the pack in total yards and in the lower-third of the NFL for points scored.
Now, Downing will direct a Titans’ offense featuring QB Ryan Tannehill, running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver A.J. Brown. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, head coach Mike Vrabel may hire a coordinator to take some of the defensive responsibilities off of his plate.
Texans Eyeing Lovie Smith, Josh McCown For Staff
The Texans’ quarterback situation is in flux, but their staff is coming together, at least. After agreeing to hire David Culley as their new head coach, the Texans are now eyeing former Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith and longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown for assistant coaching roles (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com). 
[RELATED: Deshaun Watson Officially Requests Trade]
Smith seems to be the team’s leading candidate for the defensive coordinator vacancy. McCown, meanwhile, would help out on the other side of the ball, though it doesn’t sound like he’d jump straight to offensive coordinator. That job, barring any changes, will continue to be occupied by offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. Kelly has drawn interest from around the league, but the Texans have denied every interview request.
McCown & Co. will have the unenviable task of remaking the offense without Deshaun Watson under center. The Texans were hoping to work things out, but his mind is made up — the QB wants a trade, and he appears to be targeting the Jets or Dolphins as his landing spot. Watson is uniquely positioned to dictate his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause.
On defense, the Texans could do the unthinkable and part ways with edge rusher J.J. Watt. The face of the franchise has one year to go on his deal with a $17.5MM cap hit. If the Texans are truly looking to reboot things, they could trade their two biggest stars to replenish their depleted draft stock.
Texans’ Deshaun Watson Requests Trade
Deshaun Watson has officially asked the Texans for a trade, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Watson will have significant sway over his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause. 
The drama between the Texans and their star quarterback has been brewing for some time. In fact, Schefter hears that the trade request was actually made weeks ago, though it’s been kept under wraps until now. The Texans were hoping to smooth things out, but it seems that their hiring of new head coach David Culley, has not warmed Watson up to Houston.
Watson is reportedly interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets. The Panthers have also been mentioned as a suitor, though his interest in Carolina is unclear. The Jets and Dolphins have plenty of draft picks to work with in a deal, and it appears that the Jets’ constant state of chaos does not bother him.
The Jets may be Watson’s No. 1 choice, thanks to their hiring of former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Watson pushed the Texans to hire Saleh, but they didn’t even consider him as a part of their widespread search. The Jets would be a natural fit, given their shaky evaluation of Sam Darnold. The Dolphins fit is a little less clear, since Tua Tagovailoa projects as their starter in 2021. In theory, the two teams could engineer a blockbuster for the ages that would send the Alabama star to Houston.
Watson is signed through 2025, thanks to his recent four-year extension. Worth $39MM annually, the contract is worth $177.54MM in total with nearly $111MM in guaranteed money.
Texans To Hire David Culley
The Texans have their new head coach. Former Ravens assistant head coach David Culley has accepted Houston’s offer, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
[RELATED: Deshaun Watson Requests Trade]
For Culley, it’s the high point of an incredible run up the coaching ladder. The 65-year-old started his coaching career at FCS school Austin Peay all the way back in 1978. He’s been a respected football mind ever since, though he’s never served as a coordinator at the pro level. He served under Andy Reid for 18 years — following him from the Eagles to the Chiefs — before making his way to Baltimore. He’s been a trusted lieutenant of John Harbaugh, and his endorsement helped him win the job.
Unfortunately, it seems that he will not get the opportunity to patch things up with Deshaun Watson. Watson — who was a big proponent of 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh — wants out. Reportedly, he’s not even interested in chatting about it with the new Texans head coach.
The Texans’ bypassed Saleh, but they considered a number of big names, as shown in PFR’s 2021 Head Coaching Search Tracker:
- Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator:
- Joe Brady, Panthers offensive coordinator
- Jim Caldwell, former Colts and Lions head coach
- Matt Eberflus, Colts defensive coordinator
- Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern head coach: Rumored candidate
- Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator:
- Josh McCown, Texans quarterback
- Arthur Smith, Titans offensive coordinator, hired by the Falcons
- Brandon Staley, Rams defensive coordinator, hired by the Chargers
Ultimately, Culley came away with the job. And, no matter what happens with Watson, it sounds as though he’ll have offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on board. The OC has drawn interest from other teams, but the Texans are still blocking requests for him.
Texans Interview Leslie Frazier, David Culley
WEDNESDAY: Frazier’s second interview took place Tuesday, according to veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson (on Twitter). Culley met with Texans brass Wednesday morning but was called back to continue his second interview later this afternoon, per Anderson and the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter links). This has become a “neck and neck” race, according to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain.
While Eric Bieniemy has been in this process for a bit now, the Texans cannot bring him back for an interview until after Super Bowl LV. The Texans were seeking a second Bieniemy meeting but may well have a coach by the time he would be permitted to interview again.
MONDAY: The Texans have arranged second interviews with Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Ravens assistant head coach David Culley as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Both are now eligible to interview for the Texans’ top job in person since their teams are out of the playoffs. 
Frazier served as the Vikings’ head coach for three-seasons-and-change, up until his dismissal in 2013. His 2012 team made the playoffs before falling to the Packers, but the rest of his run wasn’t all that successful. All in all, the Vikes went 21-32-1 with Frazier at the helm. Since then, he’s spent the past four seasons as the Bills’ DC, overseeing one of the league’s best defenses.
Culley, 65, got his coaching start at FCS program Austin Peay all the way back in 1978. Culley has never even been a coordinator at the NFL level, so it would be a pretty remarkable story if he’s able to land his first head coaching job in 2021. It’s worth noting that Ravens coach John Harbaugh has been a vocal supporter of Culley, who has a chance to secure the league’s last vacancy.
Whether it’s Culley, Frazier, or another coach, the Texans’ next HC will be tasked with getting the buy-in of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Bucs’ Bruce Arians: “Hell No” I Won’t Retire
Bruce Arians is having too much fun to stop now. If the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl, the veteran head coach says he won’t be tempted to leave on a high note. 
[RELATED: Bucs Want To Re-Sign AB]
“Hell no,” said Arians when asked about the possibility of retirement (Twitter link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “I’m going for two. If the Glazers will have me back.”
At least, it was a fair question. Arians, 68, has retired twice before. Most recently, he retired as the Cardinals’ head coach after the 2017 season. He was also claimed to be walking away in 2011, when he parted ways with the Steelers.
Arians has won two Super Bowls as an assistant, but he’ll be going for his first ring as a head coach. Win or lose, the Glazers will almost certainly want him back. The same goes for wide receiver Antonio Brown — the Bucs reportedly want to re-sign the controversial star, who has stayed out trouble since coming to Tampa Bay. In the regular season, Brown caught 45 passes for 483 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
Seahawks To Hire Shane Waldron
The Seahawks are set to hire Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron as their offensive coordinator (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). Waldron has worked for Sean McVay since 2016 — now, he’ll get to run his own offense and face his former mentor twice per year.
The Seahawks opened up their OC job with the firing of Brian Schottenheimer earlier this year. Waldron has never called plays before, but McVay has spoken highly of his acumen and leadership abilities.
“He’s a phenomenal coach,” McVay said in 2018 (via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News). “He’s a great communicator. He’s got a rare ability to authentically and genuinely connect with not only coaches but the players and be able to correct in a manner that doesn’t make guys’ guards come up. It’s all about problem-solving and doing it together.”
Former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn , Bills quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey, and Raiders running backs coach Kirby Wilson were also considered along the way. Ultimately, Pete Carroll went with Waldron, who becomes the latest Rams coach or exec to leave L.A. Brandon Staley, Joe Barry, Brad Holmes, Ray Agnew, and Aubrey Pleasant have all made their exits in recent weeks.
Lions Begin Matthew Stafford Trade Talks
Late last week, the Lions and Matthew Stafford agreed to go their separate ways this offseason. Already, teams have started reaching out to the Lions to talk trade, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
Stafford, 32, has spent all 12 of his NFL seasons in Detroit. The Colts, Patriots, Broncos, and Washington TBDs would all be logical landing spots for him, but it’s not clear which of those clubs have contacted the Lions so far.
Stafford popped up in trade rumors last year, but GM Bob Quinn denied that he was on the block. Now, there’s a new regime in Detroit, led by head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes. After hiring former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn as their OC, they’re prepared to overhaul the offense.
The veteran managed to play in all 16 games this year, no small feat given his 2019 back injury. Still plenty productive, he’s also mighty affordable. Stafford’s contract runs through 2022 with base salaries of just $9.5MM and $12.5MM. Owed a $10MM roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year, the Lions are looking to trade Stafford before the March due date.
In 2020, Stafford posted a 26-10 TD-INT ratio while ranking 15th in QBR. It was a solid bounce-back from his ’19 slate, which ended with a total of eight starts.