Coach David Culley hasn’t exactly been the elixir to cure what ails the Houston Texans after two years of letting Bill O’Brien double up as coach and general manager.
Houston is 4-11 and sustained an eight-game losing streak that featured the Texans giving away winnable games to the New England Patriots in Week 5, the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. Even after Houston seemed to get back on track following a surprise win over the Tennessee Titans on the road, Houston gave away the momentum the very next week against the New York Jets at home.
The Texans are currently on a two-game winning streak, but the evaluation of Culley’s job still continues with two games left.
If a new coach were to come to Houston, Bill Barnwell from ESPN believes the draft capital will be attractive. However, the uncertainty at quarterback, the lack of talent, and the ambivalence from chairman and CEO Cal McNair could keep good candidates away.
The situation above the coaching staff in Houston feels like a minefield. [General manager] (Nick) Caserio was imported from the Patriots to run football operations. Former New England team chaplain Jack Easterby has a meaningful-but-undefined role within the organization. Owner Cal McNair has shown virtually no evidence of competency since inheriting the team from his father. I took many issues with the roster moves Bill O’Brien made during his time running personnel with the Texans, but it was bizarre to see McNair back the former Penn State coach for two offseasons before firing O’Brien four games into the 2020 season. Any coach who interviews for this job is going to look over his shoulder and wonder whether he’s about to lose a political struggle or get kicked out if Josh McDaniels is willing to leave New England.
The Texans may be in store for another year of Culley as the rebuilding process will continue throughout 2022.
