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Pairing NFL teams with the best head coaching candidates in 2023

By Michael Johnson

Jan 25, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks during a press conference at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports /
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: General Manager Nick Caserio watches players warm up before the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Florida Gators at Kyle Field on November 05, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Houston Texans and Ben Johnson

If you can look past the recent treatment of minority head coaches, the Houston Texans is an attractive job. There’s no doubt that the Texans are looking to move past a period of disappointment and rebuild their franchise. Sure, the Texans may want to make a splash hire, but getting a young guy who could grow with the franchise is the best option.

One name that stands out as a potential solution for the team is Ben Johnson. The 36-year-old coach has had a meteoric rise through the ranks of coaching, and his success as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions has made him one of the top head coaching candidates in the league.

Johnson’s background as a quarterback and his experience coaching the position at the NFL level make him the perfect candidate to groom the Texans’ next franchise quarterback. They currently sit at the No. 2 spot in the 2023 NFL draft, where they can take CJ Stroud or Bryce Young.

As a young coach, Johnson would fit in well with the team’s young core of players such as cornerbacks Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr. and running back Dameon Pierce. This can help to build a culture of winning and sustained success, which is something that the Texans have been lacking.

The Texans are well-positioned to quickly infuse their roster with much-needed talent, owning multiple first-round picks and 13 selections in total. With a clean balance sheet and significant salary cap space, Johnson would have the resources to build a competitive team. This level of success, coupled with his young age, makes him the ideal candidate to inject new life into a failing franchise.

GM Nick Caserio must maximize the potential to build something from scratch and offer Johnson or whoever the next coach is a long contract. The Texans have a rare opportunity to turn their fortunes around and become a competitive team again. With Ben Johnson as head coach, they have a chance to do just that. His experience, offensive prowess, and leadership qualities make him the perfect candidate to lead the Texans’ rebuilding efforts and turn the franchise around.

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