Denver and Houston hire new NFL head coaches

The GIST: Two of the top head coaching (HC) candidates are officially off the market: Former Super Bowl champ Sean Payton is heading west to helm the Denver Broncos, and the Houston Texans tapped DeMeco Ryans as their next HC.

• The implications? A Denver franchise in disarray might’ve found just the guy to turn things around while the Texans have many worried they’re continuing a disturbing trend within the organization.

Sean Payton: The Kevin James doppelgänger New Orleans Saints HC took his former franchise from one playoff win to Super Bowl champions, amassing astounding success throughout his 15-year tenure. After spending a year away from the gridiron, Payton met with four teams this offseason before landing in Denver.

• And Broncos fans are certainly rejoicing. The team endured an embarrassing 2022–23 campaign, even after their blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson last offseason. Let the new ride begin.

DeMeco Ryans: Less than 48 hours after his team was eliminated from the playoffs, the former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator was hired to lead the Texans, the team he began his NFL playing career with. Ryans’ deal also means the league once again has three Black HCs (which is still too few) and makes the Texans the first team to hire three consecutive Black HCs.

• It might not be time to celebrate just yet, though. Houston has a pattern of hiring Black HCs but failing to provide them with the players and support they need to succeed, then firing them after one year on the job. Here’s hoping Ryans actually gets a fair shake.