Texans To Interview Nick Caserio (Again)
They can’t seem to let him go. The Texans have requested an interview with Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio for their GM job, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 
[RELATED: Panthers Request Nick Caserio Interview]
The Texans tried to hire Caserio as their GM in 2019, but the Pats blocked the move. Drama ensued as the Patriots threatened to file tampering charges. We could see a similar situation unfold in 2021 — Caserio was just extended by the Pats back in February.
Caserio has been with the Patriots since 2001, drawing more and more GM interest over time. The Panthers requested an interview with Caserio over the weekend, so the Texans aren’t alone in their pursuit.
In addition to Caserio, the Texans have also been connected to Seahawks VP of player personnel Trent Kirchner, ESPN broadcaster/ex-Eagles exec Louis Riddick, Ravens director of football research Scott Cohen, and Bills director of pro personnel Malik Boyd.
Jets, Texans To Interview Matt Eberflus
The Jets and Texans requested interviews with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). There will likely be more on the way for Eberflus, who is considered one of the hottest coaching candidates in this year’s cycle. 
After sacking Adam Gase over the weekend, the Jets are expected to cast a wide net in their search for his replacement. In addition to Eberflus, assistants Eric Bieniemy (Chiefs OC), Matt Eberflus (Colts DC), Don Martindale (Ravens DC), Arthur Smith (Titans OC) and Brandon Staley (Rams DC) are on the radar. Ditto for college coaches Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), Matt Campbell (Iowa State), and Dan Mullen (Florida).
Eberflus is in his third year as the Colts’ defensive coordinator, following seven seasons as the Cowboys linebackers coach. With the dysfunctional Jets, he’d have a chance to groom one of this year’s top draft picks and snap the team’s lengthy playoff drought. And, after going with an offensive “guru” last time around, no one would be surprised to see the Jets go back to a defensive specialist.
The Texans have already interviewed Jim Caldwell and Marvin Lewis. Now, they’ll have the opportunity to chat with coaches from all 31 clubs, though they’ll need permission in some cases. It’s believed that the Texans are focused on hiring a coach with pro experience, rather than plucking a candidate straight from the NCAA ranks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/2/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Christian Kirk
- Promoted: DL Stacy McGee, LB Terrance Smith, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: WR Chris Rowland, WR Devin Gray, TE Jared Pinkney
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Nate Brooks, QB Tyler Huntley
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Tyler Kroft; Kroft contracted the coronavirus
- Promoted: TE Nate Becker, CB Dane Jackson, DE Mike Love, RB Antonio Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Aaron Monteiro, QB Tommy Stevens
- Placed on IR: CB Troy Pride
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Mike Daniels
- Promoted: LB Keandre Jones, DT Kahlil McKenzie, CB Winston Rose
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: G Blake Hance
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Karl Joseph
- Promoted: G Cordell Iwuagwu, LB Montrel Meander, T Alex Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: DB Steven Parker
- Promoted: DT Walter Palmore, T William Sweet
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: WR K.J. Hamler
- Promoted: LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DT Danny Shelton
- Promoted: C Evan Brown, DT Albert Huggins, S Bobby Price
- Waived: DL Frank Herron
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: David Bakhtiari (story)
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, DL Brian Price
Houston Texans
- Promoted: OL Greg Mancz, WR Steven Mitchell
- Placed on IR: OL Brent Qvale
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: S Ibraheim Campbell, T Jared Veldheer
- Activated from IR: TE Noah Togiai
- Waived: WR Marcus Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: WR Collin Johnson
- Promoted: WR Terry Godwin, OL Tre’vour Wallace-Simms
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Jeff Heath
- Promoted: LB James Onwualu, OL Erik Magnuson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DB John Brannon
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: QB Bryce Perkins
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley, WR Marcus Kemp, QB Reid Sinnett
- Waived: FB Chandler Cox
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: CB Tae Hayes, Cordrea Tankersley, DE Eddie Yarbrough
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: RB Damien Harris
- Promoted: TE/DL Rashod Berry, CB Michael Jackson, LB Cassh Maluia, OL Ross Reynolds, CB D’Angelo Ross
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: FB Michael Burton, RB Latavius Murray, S D.J. Swearinger, RB Dwayne Washington; Murray and Washington are close contacts of COVID-positive Alvin Kamara (story)
- Promoted: LB Andrew Dowell, TE Garrett Griffin, CB Grant Haley, LB Chase Hansen, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, RB Tony Jones Jr., WR Tommylee Lewis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Kyler Fackrell, CB Madre Harper
- Promoted: P Ryan Santoso
- Placed on IR: FB Elijhaa Penny
- Waived: QB/WR Joe Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: G Greg Van Roten
- Waived: K Sam Ficken
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Blake Countess, DE Joe Ostman, T Prince Tega Wanogho
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Eric Ebron, LB Cassius Marsh
- Promoted: WR Deon Cain, T Anthony Coyle, TE Kevin Rader, K Matthew Wright
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: G Tom Compton
- Promoted: DT Josiah Coatney, WR Jordan Matthews, K Tristan Vizcaino, OL Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Tre Flowers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Damarious Randall, T Brandon Shell
- Promoted: G Alex Boone, RB Alex Collins, WR Penny Hart
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Brett Kern
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed, K Sam Sloman
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Dontrelle Inman
Texans To Interview Malik Boyd For GM Job
The Texans are set to interview Bills pro scouting director Malik Boyd for their GM vacancy, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. There’s been significant buzz around Boyd in this cycle and the Houston native could be on the verge of a homecoming.
Boyd began his scouting career with the Colts before joining up with the Cardinals in 2005. After 12 years in Arizona, he moved on to Buffalo in 2017. The Texans have been eyeing a GM who could help them get the best of both worlds — analytics and game film — and Boyd would fit the bill. Before his exec career, Boyd spent some time as a defensive back for the Vikings and Saints.
The Texans have already interviewed ESPN analyst/ex-Eagles exec Louis Riddick and their own director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan for the job. They’re also in the midst of their head coaching search, though they’re expected to make the GM decision first.
J.J. Watt Addresses Contract Situation
Vocal about his frustration with the Texans‘ situation, J.J. Watt is on track to play in 16 games for just second time in the past five seasons. Although a midseason report tabbed the future Hall of Fame defensive lineman as a “virtual lock” to be traded in the offseason, Watt has one season remaining on his Texans deal. He acknowledged his contract — a six-year, $100MM 2014 pact that has since been lapped by a few younger D-linemen — will need to be addressed in 2021.
Thanks to the Laremy Tunsil deal, the Texans do not have first- or second-round picks in next year’s draft. Despite Watt’s contributions, Houston’s defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL. And the team does not have many long-term cornerstones on offense beyond Tunsil or Deshaun Watson. Watt, 31, would be an interesting 2021 trade chip — should the Texans attempt to collect assets for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year — but the prospect of a new Watt contract in a year when the cap is set to decline would seemingly affect his market.
Texans Won’t Consider College Coach
The Texans are casting a wide net in their head coaching search. However, they’re not looking to pull a candidate from college to the pros. Th Texans are planning to hire a coach with previous NFL experience, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle hears. 
[RELATED: Texans Interview Marvin Lewis]
In recent weeks, we’ve heard buzz about Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck, and others from the NCAA ranks. Meanwhile, the Texans’ early interview slate has been focused on seasoned NFL vets, like Jim Caldwell and Marvin Lewis.
The Texans’ next GM (who will not be the same person as the head coach) should help dictate the search the rest of the way. That hire will likely come before the HC pick. Many expect Seahawks OC Brian Schottenheimer to meet with Texans brass before all is said and done. The pool may also include Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, a reported fave of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/20
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: T Jordan Mills
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): S Geno Stone
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jordan Glasgow
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Nicholas Morrow
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: OL Bobby Evans
- Waived: CB Dee Virgin
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: TE Kyle Rudolph
- Promoted: G Kyle Hinton
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Ryan Griffin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Charlie Woerner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Ronald Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Stephen Gostkowski, P Brett Kern
Texans To Wait On HC Interviews
- The Texans have a lot of work to do this offseason, most notably finding a new coach and GM after the firing of Bill O’Brien. Houston owner Cal McNair reportedly wants Deshaun Watson‘s input on who the next coach will be, but the team apparently isn’t in any rush to make a hire. That’s because the Texans do not intend to take advantage of the new NFL rule that would allow them to interview head coaching candidates currently on staff with other teams before the season ends, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports. Instead Houston is sticking to their plan of hiring a GM before a coach. They have however been interviewing candidates not currently with a team, including Marvin Lewis and Jim Caldwell recently. There have been murmurs that Watson would like Eric Bieniemy, who obviously is still currently employed by the Chiefs, so that interview won’t be happening immediately.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here as we barrel toward Week 17:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on IR: LB Kylie Fitts
- Activated: OL Lamont Gaillard
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: S Geno Stone
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR John Brown, S Josh Thomas, RB Christian Wade (close contacts)
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: OT Trenton Scott
- Signed to 53 from practice squad: OT Matt Kaskey
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Alexander Hollins
Houston Texans
- Signed to 53 from practice squad: WR Damion Ratley
- Waived: RB C.J. Prosise
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers from Steelers: OL Derwin Gray
New England Patriots
- Signed to 53 from practice squad: OL Marcus Martin
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list: C Hroniss Grasu, LS Taybor Pepper
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/26/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: OL Sean Harlow, WR Chris Rowland
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Pierre Desir, QB Tyler Huntley
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Matt Kaskey
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Tony Brown
- Promoted: WR Trenton Irwin, LB Keandre Jones
- Waived: S Trayvon Henderson
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: C Javon Patterson
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Sewo Olonilua
- Placed on IR: DT Antwaun Woods
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB LeVante Bellamy
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: DL Brian Price, RB Dexter Williams
Houston Texans
- Promoted: Steven Mitchell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: CB Quenton Meeks, FB Bruce Miller, RB Craig Reynolds
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: CB Deandre Baker, LB Omari Cobb, WR Gehrig Dieter, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
- Placed on IR: CB Sidney Jones
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: DT Maliek Collins
- Promoted: CB Rashaan Gaulden, LB James Onwualu, DB Javin White
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DE Joe Gaziano, TE Matt Sokol
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: OL Jamil Demby, S JuJu Hughes
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jordan Thomas
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: RB La’Mical Perine
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: RB Jordan Howard, DT T.Y. McGill, DE Joe Ostman, TE Caleb Wilson
- Placed on IR: CB Kevon Seymour, DE Josh Sweat
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Tegray Scales, K Matthew Wright
- Waived: OL Derwin Gray
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: DL Bryan Mone
- Promoted: WR Penny Hart
- Placed on IR: G Phil Haynes
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed
Washington Football Team
- Activated from IR: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
- Promoted: QB Steven Montez
- Waived: WR Dontrelle Inman