NFL Rumors: Texans Interview QB Josh McCown, Jim Caldwell for Head Coach Opening

Josh McCown has coached high school football but hasn't held a coaching position within the NFL or college ranks.

The Texans are the only team remaining without a head coach, and the franchise made their bizarre offseason that much more wild by interviewing for the position former NFL head coach Jim Caldwell and quarterback Josh McCown, who was on their active roster at the end of the season.

Josh McCown has strong leadership traits and intends to get into coaching eventually. He's been rumored as a possible NFL head coach during previous stops. But his plan has been to watch his sons play high school football the next few years. Obviously, this would change the plan.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2021

The 41-year-old McCown has coached high school football but hasn't held a coaching position within the NFL or college ranks.

NBC Sports reported that if McCown is hired, it's believed that the quarterback will be the first player to go immediately from active player to NFL head coach since Norm Van Brocklin. He was the Eagles quarterback in 1960 and became the Vikings' head coach in 1961.

McCown has signed with 10 NFL teams in his career, playing for the Cardinals (who drafted him in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft), Lions, Raiders, Panthers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns, Jets and Eagles before joining Houston.

It's rumored that in considering McCown, controversial executive VP of of football operations Jack Easterby could be making another grasp at maintaining power, or that McCown became close with quarterback Deshaun Watson and that the franchise wants to please him. Watson has been vocal about his unhappiness with the Texans, in part because of how Easterby has molded the organization.

Caldwell, 64, began his career as a head coach for the Colts in 2009 after taking over for Tony Dungy. He spent three years there before being fired in 2011.

He spent some time as an offensive coordinator for the Ravens before being hired as the head coach for the Lions in 2015. Detroit parted with him in 2018, and Caldwell joined the Dolphins' staff this past January. He did take a leave of absence in July due to health concerns. 

Check out the latest news and notes from around the NFL:

• The NFL informed all teams that they are prohibited from timing, testing, interviewing in-person or giving medical exams to any draft-eligible players other than at school's pro day or all-star game due to ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The memo also stated that each club will be limited to three reps at any pro day, and there will not be a combine. (Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
• Matt Patricia will be rejoining the Patriots, assisting the coaching staff in a variety of roles. Lions' research & analysis/head coach assistant Evan Rothstein will be joining New England, as well. (Jim McBride, Boston Globe)
• The Bears are hiring Sean Desai as their new defensive coordinator, and is believed to be the first individual of Indian heritage to become a coordinator in the league. (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)