A Sean Payton-Texans rebuild could alter the franchise's course forever
The Houston Texans are looking for a new head coach for the third off-season in a row. Luckily for them, one of the biggest names in modern NFL coaching is searching for a job.
That name belongs to Sean Payton, who recently opened up to Colin Cowherd about any potential interest in coaching Houston. He got brutally honest about his relationship with ownership and even noted how coaching in the AFC South presents an opportunity to show up and win the division right away.
Sean Payton, open and honest, with Colin Cowherd about the Texans job. Says he’s familiar with Cal McNair, likes the AFC South, and has a prior relationship with Nick Caserio through the Saints/Patriots relationship. He’s meeting with McNair this week. https://t.co/RVfR8zxiAF
So we know there is at least some initial interest from the coach. The organization should do whatever it takes to get Payton to Houston. It could alter the course of franchise history.
The Texans need Sean Payton to get on track
The Texans are a young NFL franchise, debuting in the 2002 season. Since then, the team has made the playoffs six times, never advancing beyond the divisional round. Bringing in Payton could change that trend.
The franchise has no direction at the moment. Deshaun Watson sitting out the 2021 season doomed David Culley, who was let go after one season. Not having a quarterback in 2022 meant Lovie Smith was one-and-done himself.
Payton will only agree even to consider the job if the team commits to a top quarterback, whether with the No. 2 overall pick or via a trade. At this point, the draft route seems like the best option.
Payton is known as the coach who got the best out of Drew Brees, making him a future Hall of Famer. He would now have the chance to do the same with a player like CJ Stroud or Bryce Young. This is a golden opportunity for a team that has had middling success for two decades.
If they do land Payton, a proper rebuild will be in place. He will be paired with a top young quarterback and will have assurances that he won't be fired after a year or two. Yet if they whiff, this current cycle may continue, as top candidates may avoid the franchise, given how they have treated their last two head coaches.
An extremely candid @SeanPayton lays out basically all the details of his job search process (Saints compensation, pros and cons he's looking for) in this interview with @ColinCowherd. https://t.co/dPmO67Ycpm
The organization had a positive thing going with Bill O'Brien and Watson at one time, but a fresh start was needed after the coach was fired following a 0-4 start in 2020. Yet wasting two seasons may be controversial with plenty of fans.
That can all be rectified by paying Payton whatever he wants to lead this team. That may also involve allowing him to essentially serve as his own general manager.
He has his pick of jobs this offseason, and it may be fair to say the Texans position is near the bottom in terms of prestige. Yet extra money and power may be enough to sway him, given his favorable comments when speaking with Cowherd.