Texans request interview with Brandon Staley

Someone please tell the companies who take photos at football games to be more aware of Brandon Staley this Saturday against the Green Bay Packers. The LA Rams defensive coordinator has been one of the hottest names on the head coach interviewing circuit this year and yet I have to keep using the same picture of him.

That continued this morning when it was reported that the Houston Texans have requested to interview Staley for their open head coaching position. Staley has previously interviewed with the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers for their head coaching positions.

The Texans finished 30th in points allowed per drive, 32nd in takeaways and 32nd in rushing yards allowed. Only two seasons ago, Houston was fifth in points allowed per drive, fourth in takeaways and first in yards per carry allowed.

Staley would have an immense amount of work to do on defense and J.J. Watt will be turning 32 this year. The Texans also don’t have their first round pick (third overall) because of the trade for Laremy Tunsil. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is reportedly unhappy that he wasn’t involved in the general manager search like he was promised (the team hired Nick Caserio out of the Patriots organization; Caserio and Staley share John Carroll University ties), with some rumors going as far as to say that the Rams would like to swap Jared Goff and draft picks for him.

Would Watson approve Brandon Staley as Houston’s next head coach?

Jason LaCanfora reported on Thursday that Staley is already assembling a staff to pitch to prospective teams, including Anthony Weaver, Jonathan Gannon and Jay Rodgers.

Also reported on Thursday morning is that the Rams could lose not one, but two members of their front office. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Atlanta Falcons will be hiring the Saints’ Terry Fontenot as their next GM, barely edging out LA’s director of college scouting Brad Holmes.

Still available, the Detroit Lions hired Holmes to be their next GM, giving the Rams two third round picks as compensation for hiring a minority candidate out of their organization. Next up: Ray Farmer.

Also a minority candidate, Farmer is reportedly as “name to watch” in the Jaguars search for a general manager. Jacksonville is rumored to be close to a deal with former three-time national champion Urban Meyer.