AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

Patriots OC Josh McDaniels says he wasn’t proud of the way he handled backing out on the Colts at the last minute a year ago in an interview at the Super Bowl Opening Night. 

“It’s a lot that goes into it,” McDaniels said via Pro Football Talk. “I think at the end of the day you have to make the best decision for yourself and your family. I’ve said this a number of times: The timing of all that stuff was not. . . . I wasn’t proud of any of that stuff.”

McDaniels also reaffirmed that he is still looking to be a head coach again someday. 

•  The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday that they’ve hired Jason Michael as tight ends coach and Chris Strausser as offensive line coach.

Jaguars

• The Athletic’s Daniel Popper writes that Jaguars CB A.J. Bouye could be a candidate for a contract restructure to free up cap space. 
• Popper says the Jaguars will likely cut DL Malik Jackson, QB Blake Bortles and OT Jeremy Parnell.  From there, the team could consider moving on from DT Marcell Dareus, S Tashaun Gipson and RB Carlos Hyde. 
• Popper believes free agent QB Tyrod Taylor would be a perfect fit in Jacksonville. 

Texans

While the Texans have the sixth-most cap space in the NFL, they will likely turn to the draft to improve the team’s biggest weakness — the offensive line. 

“I don’t think you want to build it through free agency,” HC Bill O’Brien said via The Athletic’s Aaron Reiss. “That’s my personal belief. You want to build it through the draft, so you can mold the guys.”

• Reiss writes that the Texans will try to bring back DE Jadeveon Clowney, including with the franchise tag if necessary, and DB Tyrann Mathieu. 
• Although, Reiss says Houston is unlikely to bring back CB Kareem Jackson. 
• The Texans announced that they’ve hired Clay Hampton as the team’s director of football operations.