Inside the Texans’ busy offseason, from the search for a head coach to what could be ahead in the NFL Draft

Sean Payton former head coach of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the third quarter of an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 25, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, 2022 Sean Gardner)

HOUSTON – Hi everyone!  This is KPRC 2 Sports Director Randy McIlvoy checking in with your weekly Houston Texans Newsletter!

Wild card weekend is behind us and how about all of those great games! Can’t wait until that time comes when the Texans are back in the postseason conversation, but I think that may still be one to two years away unfortunately.

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That said, it’s been a busy start to the offseason with their coaching search.

State of the Texans coaching search

We are over 10 days into their search process and as I write this newsletter their candidate list stands at seven after the Lions Ben Johnson withdrew from the process for all of the teams that had interest in speaking with him. Not shocking that this happened. Johnson is an up-and-comer, but is not quite ready to be a head coach in the NFL just yet.

They have interviewed  former Saints head coach Sean Payton who may be ready to get back into the NFL as a head coach. That happened on Monday. Is Houston a legitimate contender? I think so, but Payton holds all of the cards. The Saints have his contract rights still so wherever he lands it will cost that team a significant draft pick most likely the No. 12 first rounder the Texans own after trading Deshaun Watson to the Browns.

According to our Texans insider Aaron Wilson, who writes for us on Click2Houston.com, the Texans remain interested in Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon who interviewed late last week. They could speak again after this weekend’s playoff game. The Texans also have interviewed Eagles OC Shane Steichen, Rams assistant head coach Thomas Brown and Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. They plan to also interview 49ers DC and former Texans LB DeMeco Ryans as well this week .

What’s ahead

The Texans coaching search takes the spotlight for now and then the focus shifts to the NFL Combine in late February and first week of March in Indy. The pro days will follow and the draft will take place beginning with the first round on April 27.

With the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select...?

Keep it locked on KPRC 2, KPRC 2+ and Click2houston.com sports for all of your Texans offseason news.