After holding a surprising interview last week with inexperienced Josh McCown, the Houston Texans appear to be moving forward and establishing finalists for their head coaching vacancy.
The Texans are expected to request second interviews with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier after their teams face each other Sunday in the AFC Championship Game, according to ESPN.
“Both candidates believe they have a legitimate chance” to be hired “and have begun assembling coaching staffs in the event that they are hired,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote Sunday, citing sources.
Incoming GM Nick Caserio already has held a second conversation with former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell for the position, the last coaching opening in the league during this hiring cycle. Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach David Culley also have interviewed with the Texans.
Frazier has previous head-coaching experience with the Minnesota Vikings (2010-13), while Bieniemy has been considered a top candidate yet bypassed for several vacancies in recent years.
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly was unhappy about not having input in the team’s offseason hires, and the three-time Pro Bowler is said to have identified the Jets and the Miami Dolphins as his top two potential trade destinations, the Miami Herald reported Saturday.
Watson has not publicly requested a trade “nor have the Texans shown any interest in trading him, per sources,” according to NFL Network.