Oct 15, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Owen McCown (7) scrambles in the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado QB Owen McCown enters portal following Sanders hire

One day after new coach Deion Sanders made clear who his starting quarterback would be in his first season at Colorado, incumbent quarterback Owen McCown entered the transfer portal on Monday.

McCown played in four games as a freshman and started three, completing 57 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He suffered an abdominal injury during Colorado’s 20-13 overtime win over Cal on Oct. 15 and was not able to return to the field.

That win turned out to be the Buffaloes’ only victory of the season, finishing 1-11 after they fired Karl Dorrell following an 0-5 start. Sanders, the longtime NFL star and former head coach of FCS program Jackson State, accepted the same position at Colorado over the weekend.

At his opening press conference, Sanders introduced his son, Shedeur Sanders, by saying, “And this is your quarterback.” The younger Sanders starred for Jackson State over the past two seasons, racking up 6,614 passing yards and 66 touchdowns.

Deion Sanders’ first meeting with the current team was also filmed.

“I want y’all to get ready to go ahead and jump in the portal and do whatever you’re gonna get because if more of you jump in, the more room you make,” Sanders told players.

“We’ve got a few positions already taken care of because I’m bringing my luggage with me,” he added. “And it’s Louis (Vuitton).”

McCown is the son of Josh McCown and nephew of Luke McCown, two former NFL quarterbacks. He was a three-star prospect coming out of high school.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordinator Lovie Smith against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Texans announce ‘additional’ talks with Lovie Smith

The Houston Texans announced Monday that they have “completed additional discussions” with Lovie Smith about their head coaching vacancy.

The team has reportedly moved on from Josh McCown, considered a finalist for the job to replace the fired David Culley. Brian Flores also remains a finalist for the position but has not had recent contact with the club, per reports.

Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who also twice interviewed for the job, was informed over the weekend that he would not be hired.

Smith, 63, spent the 2021 season as the Texans’ associate head coach and defensive coordinator under Culley, who was fired after Houston went 4-13 in his only season.

The Texans would be Smith’s third NFL head coaching job. He has an 89-87 regular-season record, including 81-63 with the Bears from 2004-12, taking the club to Super Bowl XLI. He was 8-24 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014-15.

Smith returned to the college ranks after his departure from the Buccaneers. He was named head coach at the University of Illinois but failed to rejuvenate the long-struggling program and was 17-39 from 2016-20.

The Texans offered Smith an opportunity to return to the NFL as a coordinator in 2021. Houston finished 31st in total defense but showed signs of improvement late in the season, allowing an average of 24 points in the final four weeks after giving up an average of 27.4 points in its first 13 games.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Josh McCown (18) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Texans interview Jim Caldwell, Josh McCown for coaching gig

The Houston Texans said Friday that they interviewed former NFL coach Jim Caldwell and current NFL quarterback Josh McCown for their head coach opening.

Caldwell has served as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions, while McCown finished 2020 as a player for the Texans and is still listed on the roster. He didn’t see any action.

“The Houston Texans have continued discussions about the vacant Head Coach position with Jim Caldwell and Josh McCown,” the Texans said on Twitter.

The Texans previously announced that they have interviewed Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach David Culley.

The Texans began the 2020 season with Bill O’Brien as coach before dismissing him after a 0-4 start. Romeo Crenell finished the 4-12 season as interim coach.

Caldwell, 66, compiled a 62-50 record in seven seasons with the Colts (2009-11) and Lions (2014-17). He guided the Colts to a 14-2 record in his first season and the squad reached the Super Bowl before losing to the New Orleans Saints.

Caldwell was 26-22 with two postseason appearances with the Colts and 36-28 with two postseason appearances with the Lions. He didn’t coach in the NFL in 2020.

McCown, 41, has spent time as a high school assistant coaching his sons in Charlotte, N.C., but has no NFL coaching experience.

The Texans signed him off the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in early November and he finished the season with Houston.

McCown was in position meetings with disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson. He reportedly got along well with Watson so perhaps the franchise views him as someone who can repair the relationship between Watson and upper management.

McCown has played for 10 different teams since entering the NFL in 2002. He has started 76 of 102 games he has appeared in.

He had a record of 23-53 as a starter and passed for 17,731 yards, 98 touchdowns and 82 interceptions. His best season came in 2017 with the New York Jets when he established career highs of 2,926 yards and 18 touchdowns while being intercepted nine times in 13 games, all starts.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;  Houston Texans wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks (27) as safety Daniel Thomas (20) and free safety Jarrod Wilson (26) assist during the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Texans WRs Cobb, Stills out vs. Lions

The Houston Texans will be without wide receivers Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills for their Thursday afternoon game against the host Detroit Lions, the team announced.

Cobb (toe) and Stills (quadricep), along with fullback Cullen Gillaspia (back), defensive tackle P.J. Hall (knee/shoulder) and quarterback Josh McCown (illness), did not travel with the team to Detroit.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Cobb will be placed on injured reserve. He has recorded 38 receptions for 441 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Texans (3-7), while Stills has 11 catches for 144 yards and a score.

Will Fuller V is tied with Brandin Cooks for the team lead with 47 catches. Fuller, however, has a club-best 708 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

–Field Level Media