AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich confirmed that he would like veteran QB Philip Rivers to return for next season and hopes that situation works out. 

“Yes… He’s a great leader on this team. Those things have to work themselves out. He’s on a 1-year contract. But very excited for… what he brought to the team,” Reich said, per Stephen Holder.

• Rivers said he could either return with the Colts as their quarterback next season or begin his coaching career in the NFL: “If it’s God’s will that I’m in Indy with the Colts next year, then I’ll be here. If not, I’ll be on the sideline with a ballcap on my head, coaching football.” (Zak Keefer)
• As for losing their Wildcard game to Buffalo, Rivers said a big factor was their inability to finish drives in the red zone: “We didn’t score in the red zone, and that was obviously the difference in the game.” (George Bremer)

Jaguars

• Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN report that there’s “strong two-way interest” between the Jaguars and Urban Meyer.
• While there’s currently no agreement in place between the two, there’s a perception among other candidates for the Jaguars’ job that nothing will happen in regards to their vacancy until the Meyer situation is sorted out.
• According to ESPN, there are mixed opinions on whether Meyer is the guy to beat in Jacksonville.
• As for the Jaguars’ GM position, Fowler and Graziano report that interim GM Trent Baalke has a chance to retain the job full time.
• If Meyer is hired as head coach, one name to keep an eye on is former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
• According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Jaguars are set to interview 49ers DC Robert Saleh on Saturday and Titans OC Arthur Smith at some point after Sunday’s Wild Card game. 

Texans

• Jeff McClain of the Houston Chronicle, citing those involved with the Texans’ search for a GM, reports that recently hired GM Nick Caserio was “at the top” of their list of recommendations, which came from consulting firm Korn Ferry, and Houston executives Jamey Rootes and Chris Olsen.
• According to McClain, Texans owner Cal McNair asked former HC Bill O’Brien to contact Patriots HC Bill Belichick to request an interview for Caserio in 2018 prior to hiring Brian Gaine, but Belichick declined to permit a meeting for Caserio. 
• Now with permission to interview Caserio, McClain reports that McNair and Texans’ executive Jack Easterby flew to Massachusetts on Monday morning to pick up Caserio for his official interview back in Houston.
• On the flight back to Houston, McNair was “impressed” with Caserio after speaking to him for the first time. By Tuesday, Caserio had accomplished a three-hour interview and was “certain” about hiring him. 

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of the team’s official site points out that Titans OC Arthur Smith has drawn “a lot of interest” from other NFL teams for their coaching vacancies. 
• Wyatt does not expect the Titans to be interested in former Eagles DC Jim Schwartz or former Jets DC Gregg Williams for their defensive coordinator role.