HOUSTON – The Houston Texans interviewed quarterback Josh McCown and former Lions and Colts coach Jim Caldwell for his debut as head coach, the team announced on Friday.
Houston signed a two-year contract with the quarterback on November 4 with the Philadelphia Eagles training team, with him joining Deshaun Watson and AJ McCarron in the active squad.
The Texans also announced that they have “ongoing discussions” about the vacancy with Caldwell.
Caldwell, 66, most recently served as deputy head coach for the Miami Dolphins in the 2018-19 season. He was 36-30 as the Lions ‘head coach (2014-2017) and 26-22 as the Colts’ head coach (2009-2011).
McCown, 41, retired in 2019 after 17 years in the NFL and landed a job as a quarterback coach in Charlotte, North Carolina, where his children played. He continued to train after retiring and signing with the Eagles in late 2019.
McCown played three games that season, including a wild-card loss to the Seattle Seahawks after Carson Wentz came out in the first quarter with a concussion.
When McCown signed with the Texans, he was asked if he expected to be a coach in the future.
“I believe so,” said McCown in November. “If you had asked me that 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have answered it at all, that’s not what I want to do at this level. My dream on leaving college, if I hadn’t been able to play in the NFL, was to coach high school football here in Texas. I really thought this would be my way. But the longer I play this game and I’m close to these guys, I see the real value in being able to be part of an organization and compete at the highest level. …
“Yes, one of these days, whenever that happens, whenever I finally take off my boots, I definitely see that in the future.”
The team announced earlier this week that it interviewed Bills ‘defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier, Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, Colts ‘defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus, and Ravens’ assistant coach, David Culley.