Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?

The Houston Texans are looking for the next Head coach of the team after Cal McNair relieved Lovie Smith of his duties. General Manager Nick Caserio is desperate to find a long-term answer for the Head coaching position. With two previous failures, Caserio realizes he is on thin ice with his current General Manager position.

With the News of Sean Payton being willing and excited about the potential of becoming the next Head coach of the Houston Texans, how would it look, and is it really possible?

The Reality of the Sean Payton Situation

It would make sense for Nick Caserio and the Houston Texans to hire Sean Payton because it will improve the Texans, regardless of the outcome. The last two hirings didn’t seem like a long-term fix because of their age and the playcalling. Caserio is desperate for a long-term answer and massive success for the Texans.

Nick Caserio must do everything he can to keep his positions after letting go of David Culley and Lovie Smith in back-to-back seasons. Caserio must hit a home run to retain his position as general manager for the Houston Texans. There are many great candidates, but the news of Sean Payton potentially agreeing to an opportunity with the Texans is about as intriguing as it comes.

Sean Payton is nearly sixty years old, and fans are desperate for a younger, more modern style of football and may not be sure of a recently retired coach that may go back to retirement if things don’t go well. That is understandable; however, Sean Payton is an exception.

Payton is regarded as one of the best head coaches in NFL history and a sure future Hall of Fame inductee. Payton led Drew Brees and New Orleans to a Super Bowl victory in 2009. He helped Drew Brees become the legend he is today. Eleven seasons +500 to only four below. The success, the players, and the history Payton grew in New Orleans would be magical for the Houston Texans.

Sean Payton, the New Head Coach of the Houston Texans

It doesn’t seem like a surprise that the day quarterback from Ohio State, CJ Stroud, declared for the NFL Draft on the same date and prior to the public listening to The Herd with Colin Cowherd who interviewed Sean Payton, Cowherd specifically asked Payton if he’d be willing to consider the Texans Payton said “absolutely.” He says he’s familiar with ownership, “and they’ve got good draft capital.”

Later that day, they announced that Payton and the Texans set up an interview and then Texans Owner Cal McNair, who interviewed with Payton the same night. Earlier that day, CJ Stroud, the quarterback from Ohio State University, announced on social media that he had declared for the NFL Draft.

Stroud and Payton would make the perfect matchup for years to come. Stroud and Drew Brees have similarities. Both are known for accuracy and high football IQ. Payton and Stroud or Bryce Young would make an incredible duo for years to come. Young offers more of a modern style quarterback who can escape the pocket and becomes creative, making unbelievable plays, but his size is similar to Drew Brees, who Payton was with his entire career.

The Saints currently own the rights to Sean Payton, and even though he interviewed with the Texans, the Saints are looking for a mid to late first-round pick in exchange for Payton’s rights to coach. While a first-round selection is a lot to give up for a coach who has already retired and is sixty years old, he provides a way for the Texans as an organization to build long-term.

Payton will develop the Texans from scratch and implement a system that could last beyond his tenure. Payton will add a coaching staff that guarantees success, and if he parts ways down the road, his knowledge and experience will stay. Payton will have no problem stepping into an organization that has hit a low, as he will take charge immediately by developing and instilling the work ethic required for success.

The risk of acquiring Sean Payton is lofty, and the reality is very low of Payton becoming the next head coach of the Houston Texans, but if the Texans were to trade a 2024 first-round pick because of the deal sending Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns. The Texans have two first-round selections in 2024, so parting ways with one of those picks may be risky, but the reward is high, not just for next season but for the entire outlook of the Houston Texans.