What was a great day for the Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud becomes a tough one for the New Orleans Saints, Head Coach Dennis Allen and passer Derek Carr. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Texans Quarterbacks Coach Jerrod Johnson informed teams that were interested in him for a coordinator position that he will remain in Houston. That serves a big blow the Saints’ ongoing search as Johnson was believed to be on of the favorites in the expanding list of interviews and requests.
Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik also let it be known that he will remain in Houston. A news-break that immediately incited hope that Johnson would then move on knowing that Slowik would not be taking a head coaching job elsewhere allowing him to move up in Houston. However, that hope was short-lived.
Johnson becomes the third coach to schedule a second interview with New Orleans only to then take another job. Zac Robinson joined the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff with friend and new Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris and the Cincinnati Bengals enticed Dan Pitcher to stay with Joe Burrow as their new offensive coordinator.
San Francisco 49ers Passing Game Coordinator Klint Kubiak and Quarterbacks Coach Briese along with former Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy are among the remaining best bets as external hires for the job. Getsy will have his second interview (assuming he does not accept another job first) on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Internal candidate Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, also remains an option as a highly-regarded coach within the organization.
Another popular name that continues to surface among those watching closely is former Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden, but it seems unlikely that he will return to the NFL immediately in a coordinator position. However, we know better than to never say “never” when it comes to this league. Where the Saints go at offensive coordinator this offseason is one of the most important decisions they have made in recent years. Getting it right is important. But getting right also gets tougher as more and more available names come off the board.