AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said Colts QB Philip Rivers is either going to return to the team for another season in Indianapolis or retire, he won’t play for another team. 
• Rapoport adds his decision likely depends on whether the Colts make the playoffs or not. 

Jaguars

Jaguars HC Doug Marrone was asked for his thoughts on his job status after the team closed out a 1-15 season. 

”Whatever happens, is going to happen,” Marrone said after Sunday’s game, via John Reid of Jacksonville.com. ‘‘I know the record doesn’t reflect it, (but) I know that I am a good football coach and I’m looking at an opportunity and we’ll see where it goes.” 

Recent reports have said that ownership has been making calls to potential coaching candidates and it’s likely Marrone will be replaced. 

”All that stuff started coming out yesterday and I gave him (Khan) a call and he said that it was news to him and he would talk to me on Monday,’‘ Marrone said. ‘‘Ian wound up texting me the other day before he broke the story with his sources. I tell you what, I have a great amount of respect for that so I could prep my family, my children so they have to hear it from their friends or anything like that.”

• Jay Glazer reports that Jaguars’ ownership has been calling around about head-coaching candidates, which further implies that HC Doug Marrone will be fired.
• According to NFL Network, former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has been lining up a coaching staff and saying he expects to land in Jacksonville.
• The report says Jacksonville is likely to part ways with HC Doug Marrone, even though no final decision has been made.

Texans

• NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports Texans’ executive Jack Easterby hasn’t been fully involved in their head coach and general manager and his future role has “not fully been determined.”
• Garafolo believes earlier reports that Easterby has pulled strings to put himself in power within Houston are misleading, and that his role isn’t that clear going forward. 
• However, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk cites league insiders who believe Easterby and Houston’s search firm, Korn Ferry, are creating the impression that the executive has been “marginalized” and Korn Ferry will eventually “stack the deck” with general manager candidates Easterby prefers. 
• Florio mentions that the end result would be that Easterby’s influence around the Texans’ decision will be perceived as “minimal” on the surface. However, the reality would be that Easterby has power behind the scenes.
• The list of potential Texans head coaching targets includes Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Panthers OC Joe Brady, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Ohio State HC Ryan Day, Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo, Titans OC Arthur Smith and Patriots OC Josh McDaniels. (Ian Rapoport/Tom Pelissero/Mike Garafolo)
• The trio report the Texans want to hire a general manager before a coach, however, and one of the names next on their interview list is Seahawks executive Alonzo Highsmith.
• Other potential GM targets for Houston include Patriots executive Nick Caserio, Ravens director of football research Scott Cohen, Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds, Seahawks VP of player personnel Trent Kirchner and Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay.
• Texans RB David Johnson made it clear that he wants to return to Houston next year: “I definitely want to stay here and do everything I can. With a guy like Deshaun at quarterback, we definitely have a chance and I would love to be here next year.” (Aaron Wilson)
• Texans DE J.J. Watt was asked if he’s considered that he may have played his game for the team: “Yeah I’ve certainly considered it. Who Knows? If it is, it’s unfortunate it wasn’t in front of a full stadium and all the fans. I think this city knows, I hope they know, how I feel about them and how thankful I am.” (Mark Berman)