Texans Name Jack Easterby Interim General Manager For Rest Of Season

According to Jesse Palmer, Texans’ executive Jack Easterby will act as Houston’s general manager for the remainder of the 2020 season before the team hires a new GM and head coach next year. 

Palmer notes that Easterby will return to his prior role of executive vice president of football operations role after the Texans hire a new general manager. 

John McClain notes that Texans’ owner Cal McNair and Easterby will lead the team’s search for a general manager over the offseason. In the meantime, Easterby will act as Houston’s interim-GM for the remainder of 2020 and “work closely” with its personnel department. 

Earlier this week, Ian Rapoport reported that Easterby, who was key in the firing of GM Brian Gaine, apparently did not see eye-to-eye with HC Bill O’Brien before he was fired on Monday. 

O’Brien had been clashing with prominent players at practice recently, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, and taking back the play-calling on offense was his last attempt to salvage the situation as Houston fell to 0-4. 

ESPN’s Dianna Russini says two weeks ago is when O’Brien really started to lose the team, as there was a major verbal blow up in practice. Russini adds that one player tells her: “There’s actually a feeling of relief in Houston. Not that O’Brien is not a great guy, he was losing our trust and confidence…maybe even lost all of it.” 

Wilson also mentioned that the Texans’ players were not shocked by O’Brien being fired but were surprised by the timing of the move. 

According to Wilson, O’Brien had lost the confidence of the organization, including several players and staff, and was increasingly prone to arguments. There was reportedly a recent and loud verbal exchange in front of players on the practice field.

Easterby was promoted to the Texans’ executive vice president of football operations in January after being their vice president of team development in April 2019.