The Houston Texans waited all week to do the inevitable and fire David Culley.
If waiting was a public relations move, it did not do much to change the backlash.
Culley is now out after a 4-13 season with arguably the worst team in the NFL.
He made Davis Mills look like a long-term option at quarterback and the team seemed to be playing hard all the way until the end of Week 18.
But a difference in organizational philosophy did him in and the Texans are now looking for a new leader.
Yet the decision was not a cheap one, as reported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
The #Texans owe David Culley another $17 million over the next three years, per source.
So Culley walks away with roughly $22 million for one season as Houston's head coach.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2022
The Texans still reportedly owe Culley $17 million over the next three years.
This type of contract does not make much sense if they planned to can him after a year or two.
The Compensation Continues
Hiring Culley in the first place, even if it was never a long-term option, is helping one team into 2022.
Draft picks are still headed to Baltimore in exchange for Houston stealing Culley away last year.
Meanwhile, the #Ravens got a third-round compensatory pick last year and still get another third-round comp pick in 2022 for Culley, even though he's already out in Houston. https://t.co/9rVqJSABCU
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2022
Let’s talk about one more price the Texans are paying.
That is proving that a coach can win with an awful roster and still get fired.
Houston may have their sights set on Brian Flores as the next head coach.
That would make perfect sense given his relationship with GM Nick Caserio.
But would he take this job over others given the state of the organization?
Someone will take this head coaching job because it remains a great honor to lead an NFL franchise.
The Texans may just miss out on a top candidate yet again because of how they do business.
At least Culley can rest easy knowing he has $17 million coming his way.
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