http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/12/31/report-bill-obrien-likely-to-remain-with-texans/
Bill O’Brien likely to remain with Texans
Posted by Josh Alper on December 31, 2017
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This week brought more discussion about
a poor working relationship between Texans head coach Bill O’Brien and General Manager Rick Smith as the team nears the end of a losing season.
That comes after much speculation about O’Brien’s future in Houston as he’s finishing the fourth year of the five-year deal he signed with the team in 2014. O’Brien has said he won’t quit and would coach next year without an extension, but there’s been no word from the team about their plans.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that O’Brien, who has gotten endorsements from quarterback
Deshaun Watson and other Texans players,
is likely to remain in Houston. He adds that there are issues to work out regarding his contract, which suggests it’s possible things may yet fall apart due to the extension issue.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media also reports that the Texans
want to retain O’Brien and that they could rework the football operations side by giving O’Brien more of a say in personnel while bumping Smith to a different role.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/12/31/report-bruce-arians-likely-to-step-down/
Bruce Arians likely to step down
Posted by Michael David Smith on December 31, 2017
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians
denied a report that he had already decided to walk away after today’s season finale, but he didn’t say that he’s coming back, either. Perhaps because he’s not.
Arians is
likely to step away after the season but hasn’t yet told the Cardinals his plans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The 65-year-old Arians has had a number of health problems, and his Cardinals have declined over the last two years and may need to go through a painful rebuilding period. So it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Arians decides it’s time to retire.
It also wouldn’t be surprising if Arians is lured back to coaching, if the right job becomes available. But for now it appears that today’s game will be his swan song.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/12/31/report-dean-pees-to-retire/
Dean Pees to retire
Posted by Mike Florio on December 31, 2017
The Packers aren’t the only team that will be looking for a new defensive coordinator. After the season.
Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees is
expected to retire, according to ESPN.
The 68-year-old Pees has been a member of John Harbaugh’s staff since 2010, serving as the defensive coordinator since Chuck Pagano left to become head coach of the Colts in 2012.
The fact that Pagano is widely expected to be fired by the Colts means that Pagano would be available to return to the Ravens, if that’s what he wants. Pagano said in 2015 that his current job
will be his last job in coaching.
The Ravens have a win-and-in game on Sunday, and the news that Pees, 68, will be leaving could provide a boost for the defense, along with the rest of the team — both on Sunday and beyond.
Pees previously spent 2004 through 2009 with the Patriots. Before that, he spent his coaching career at various college programs. He has won a pair of Super Bowl rings.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/12/31/report-dom-capers-out-in-green-bay/
Dom Capers out in Green Bay
Posted by Mike Florio on December 31, 2017
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It’s a better-late-than-never move that some Packers fans thought would never happen.
After nine seasons with the Packers, defensive coordinator Dom Capers is
not expected to return in 2018, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The defense has struggled in recent years under Capers, with the original head coach of both the Panthers and Texans often the target of criticism and calls for his removal. But coach Mike McCarthy stubbornly has stuck with Capers, 67.
“I think all of us in life have always gone through experiences in our past that you may have quit on something just to get that fresh, new start, and it feels good, but
in hindsight it was not the best thing for you,” McCarthy said in May regarding Capers’ ongoing presence on the staff. “I know I have personally. So I’ve always held true to that in my decision-making process.”
It’s unclear whether he’ll retire or “retire.” If it’s the latter, he could unretire with another team. It’s also unclear whether McCarthy made the decision to move on from Capers on his own or “on his own.”
