Texans GM Rumors

Here’s a running list of reports and rumors pertaining to the Texans’ GM search. Be sure to check back for the latest updates.

Interviews

• Bills VP Brian Gaine (scheduled)
• Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst (Canceled)
• Cowboys Vice President of Personnel Will McClay (Declined)
• Texans VP of football operations Jimmy Raye III (Scheduled)

Latest:

• Cowboys VP of Personnel Will McClay has officially declined to interview for Texans’ GM job, according to Todd Archer. McClay received permission from the Cowboys, but ultimately opted to remain in Dallas.
• John McClain reports that the Texans are interviewing VP of football operations/assistant GM Jimmy Raye III for their GM position on Monday. According to McClain, Buffalo VP of player personnel Brian Gaine interviews Tuesday.
• While Jason La Canfora isn’t discounting the buzz that Bills executive Brian Gaine is the frontrunner for the Texans’ job, he also isn’t ruling out the possibility that Patriots executive Nick Caserio could end up having a “strong say” in that process before all is said and done.
• Cowboys Vice President of Personnel Will McClay tells Todd Archer of ESPN that he has permission to speak with the Texans regarding their GM job but he has not heard from the team yet: “I haven’t officially accepted or declined interview with Houston because I haven’t talked to anyone from there. My intentions to interview or stay in Dallas won’t be divulged until I speak with someone officially from Houston if they are interested out of respect for both organizations and the process.”
• According to John McClain, Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay has declined to interview for the Texans’ GM position and will remain in Dallas.
• Ian Rapoport reports that with the Packers hiring Brian Gutekunst as their new GM, Bills executive Brian Gaine is now the favorite to be hired by the Texans.
• Albert Breer of TheMMQB reports that the Texans have requested permission to interview Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay for their GM job. However, Breer says that it would be tough to pry McClay from Dallas.
• Adam Schefter, citing a league source, reports that the Patriots have rejected the Texans’ request to interview Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort for their GM position. Schefter adds that both Caserio and Ossenfort might still be able to interview for the Texans’ GM job after the Patriots’ season ends.
• Albert Breer reports that the Eagles declined to grant VP of player personnel Joe Douglas permission to interview for the Texans GM position.
• John McClain reports that the Texans’ first interview for their vacant GM job will be on Sunday with Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst.
• A league source tells Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that he expects Patriots executive Nick Caserio to leave New England and mentions that Texans GM position as an intriguing opportunity.
• Peter Schrager hears that Bills VP Brian Gaine is the favorite for the Texans’ GM job.
• John McClain reports that the Texans also have interest in Eagles VP of player personnel Joe Douglas and Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay for the GM positions.
• Texans owner Bob McNair said Wednesday that they plan to interview four to six candidates for their GM position. Whoever they hire will have control of personnel and will answer ownership. McNair added that HC Bill O’Brien and president Jamey Rootes will be on the four-man search committee and the hope is to hire someone in “a week or two.” (John McClain)
• John McClain reports that the Texans received permission to interview Bills VP Brian Gaine.
• Albert Breer says that Bills VP Brian Gaine is the “man to watch” for the Texans, given his relationship with HC Bill O’Brien and the fact that they’re both from the Bills Parcells/Bill Belichick tree.
• According to Ian Rapoport, the Texans have hired a search firm to replace Rick Smith. Rapoport says that external candidates expected to receive interest from the Texans include Patriots executives Nick Caserio and Monti Ossenfort, Bills executive Brian Gaine and Packers executive Brian Gutekunst.
• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the Texans have interest in Bills executive Brian Gaine and Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio for their GM position.