Lovie Smith Fired / Head Coaching Search / DeMeco Ryans Hired!

[Keith]

@AaronWilson_NFL
#Texans have completed an interview with Sean Payton, per a league source
7:24 PM · Jan 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/...58193897750530

@nick_underhill
Payton told @TheHerd he believes the compensation to the Saints will be a “mid or later first-round pick”
1:41 PM · Jan 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/s...71814182469645

Evero was originally supposed to be interviewed today, now moved to tomorrow along with the Thomas interview. I wonder if he got bumped so the Texans could focus on Payton today? I do not like the idea of giving up any compensation to hire any head coach, including Payton, but if they only lost their second rounder and not #12 overall, I guess I could live with that. A little surprising anyone of any repute wants to talk the Texans, so beggars and choosers and whatnot.

[Keith]

The official site tweeted out that they concluded interviews with Evero at 12:03pm and with Thomas at 1:40m. Seems like a quick turnaround, so unsure whether we should read into this that neither (minority) candidates are being considered very seriously?

[Keith]

@TomPelissero
#Lions OC Ben Johnson informed interested teams he’s staying in Detroit, per sources.

Johnson was slated to travel Wednesday to interview with the #Panthers. But he feels Detroit is building something special and wants to see it through. Should be a hot HC name again next year.
6:37 PM · Jan 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/sta...08570375593989
Odd. Could be a cynic and say Ben didn't like the Houston job, but he's walking away from at least three teams willing to interview him (Texans, Colts, & Panthers). Could say maybe he knows he isn't getting the job, but again, all three? And no word that the Lions are giving him more money to stay? Hmm.

Panthers guys think this means Payton is going to Carolina, which who knows maybe, but it would seem a little odd for the Saints to trade Payton within the division. I guess if I had to guess who was coming to Houston eventually, my guess would be Gannon today.

[Keith]

@RapSheet
Some of the coaching interviews scheduled for this week and weekend:
— #Giants OC Mike Kafka is set for interviews Sunday with #Colts, #Panthers and #Texans.
— #Giants DC Wink Martindale has #Colts on Sunday.
— #49ers DC DeMeco Ryans has the #Broncos today, #Texans on Friday.
7:32 AM · Jan 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616066077556973568

So Ryans on Friday and Kafka on Sunday.

Word is the Broncos and Texans are willing to pay both the lofty salary demands of Payton as well as the draft pick compensation to the Saints. I think the Panthers will be too. I'd pick the Broncos as favorites of the three assuming he goes anywhere.

My preference is still Ryans, so I am of course encouraged he's at least interviewing. Still think Gannon is most likely, but I am intrigued by Kafka.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616066077556973568

So Ryans on Friday and Kafka on Sunday.

Word is the Broncos and Texans are willing to pay both the lofty salary demands of Payton as well as the draft pick compensation to the Saints. I think the Panthers will be too. I'd pick the Broncos as favorites of the three assuming he goes anywhere.

My preference is still Ryans, so I am of course encouraged he's at least interviewing. Still think Gannon is most likely, but I am intrigued by Kafka.

My preference is Ryans too. If he won't come, I guess I don't mind losing a draft pick to get Sean Payton to be the adult in the room.

[chuck]

I'm hoping for Kafka because that would be too perfect.

[Keith]

Ryans and Kafka interviews have been completed. Apparently the Ryans interview was rather long. Then there was this:

@JayGlazer
49ers Def. Coord DeMeco Ryans had 4 HC interviews lined up yesterday, got through 1st two (Broncos and Texans) then canceled the other two remaining in Cards & Colts so he could spend rest of day working on today’s game vs Cowboys more
5:28 PM · Jan 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/status...03145104957440
So... why did he schedule them if he knew he needed more time to game plan? The optimist here says that's how successful the interview was with the Texans. Plus, Glazer specifies the Cardinals and Colts interviews were canceled, not postponed.