Houston Texans

In consecutive years, one of the biggest offseason transactions may involve a two-time Pro Bowl tackle. In April, the Baltimore Ravens received a package of draft picks for Orlando Brown—and now the Houston Texans can fetch comparable compensation in exchange for Laremy Tunsil.

The Texans have already promoted defensive coordinator Lovie Smith to replace former head coach David Culley. Going forward, the front office will focus on the roster.

As Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac said on The Bench (h/t Lance Zierlein of NFL.com), trades involving Tunsil, quarterback Deshaun Watson and wideout Brandin Cooks seem "inevitable."

If the Texans deal any of those players, general manager Nick Caserio would likely look to recoup premium draft capital for the next two years, which leads us back to the trade between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs last offseason.

Baltimore dealt Brown, who had two Pro Bowl campaigns at the time, a 2021 second-round pick and a 2022 sixth-rounder to Kansas City for a first-, third-, and fourth-rounder in 2021 along with a fifth-round selection in this year's draft.

Tunsil has two Pro Bowl nods and will enter his age-28 term with six years of starting experience—all but his rookie season at left tackle. Though he's coming off an injury-marred campaign, having missed 12 outings because of a torn UCL in his left thumb, the Texans can command a first-round pick from one of the upcoming drafts plus additional selections because of the value of his position and his recent accolades.

Furthermore, in a pre-June 1 trade, the Texans would hold $16.6 million in dead money from Tunsil's 2022 salary-cap hit, leaving a manageable $9.5 million for the club that acquires him. He's still under contract for two terms, so his new team would have ample time to work out an extension if he commands it.

What's a realistic destination for Tunsil in 2022? Let's take a look at three potential landing spots with trade packages for each scenario.

   

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have the most obvious case to pursue Tunsil. This past campaign, quarterback Joe Burrow endured a lot of punishment in the pocket, taking 70 sacks (third-most in NFL history) in the regular season and playoffs.

At times, Burrow must get rid of the ball or throw it away to avoid unnecessary hits, but Tunsil can allow him more time in a clean pocket. In 2021, the Bengals offensive line allowed pressure on 24.2 percent of dropbacks (12th-worst).

At 33 years old, right tackle Riley Reiff has an expiring contract, and left tackle Jonah Williams gave up eight sacks in 1,044 snaps.

The Bengals can strengthen the tackle spot with a proven player who is six years younger than Reiff and shift Williams to the right side.

Williams played on both sides of the line in college, and with his solid run blocking, he can clear lanes to spring running back Joe Mixon to the outside.

Burrow isn't eligible for an extension until the 2023 offseason. In the meantime, with a projected $50.4 million in cap space, Cincinnati could stockpile talent in an aggressive approach to surround him with a quality supporting cast. Instead of selecting a late-first-round tackle, the Bengals can use their Day 1 pick as the centerpiece for a blockbuster deal, which would go a long way toward keeping Burrow upright and healthy.

Trade Package: No. 31 pick, fourth-round pick (No. 134) and 2023 second-round pick for Tunsil and sixth-round pick (No. 181)

   

Miami Dolphins

In September 2019, the Miami Dolphins traded Tunsil to the Texans, a move that jump-started their rebuild under former head coach Brian Flores. Now coming off back-to-back winning seasons with a poor offensive line, general manager Chris Grier should consider a reunion with his first draft pick.

Grier has selected four offensive linemen within the first four rounds of the last two drafts. Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt, Solomon Kindley and Liam Eichenberg struggled in multiple positions across the line as the previous coaching staff shuffled the personnel to find the right mix.

As a left tackle, Jackson had a rough 2020. This past season, the Dolphins moved him to left guard, and he didn't show any improvement. Eichenberg took his spot on the outside and logged a couple of starts on the right side as well. He allowed nine sacks and committed 10 penalties in 1,108 snaps.

Grier and new head coach Mike McDaniel must sort out the line to support Tua Tagovailoa, who has an extensive injury history. The second-year signal-caller has already missed 10 games. Secondly, the new skipper saw what a top-notch left tackle (Trent Williams) can do to bolster an offense when McDaniel was the running game coordinator and then the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 and 2021.

Tagovailoa throws with his left arm, but that doesn't mean the Dolphins should neglect the protection on his strong side. Right now, the offensive line just needs a high-level player to offset the underwhelming additions from the previous draft classes.

Grier can offer the Dolphins' first-round pick and a couple of Day 2 selections over the next two years for Tunsil. Miami has a projected $62.8 million in cap space, so if Tunsil wants a new deal in the near future, that request wouldn't pose a major issue.

Trade Package: No. 29 pick, third-round pick (No. 101, via the San Francisco 49ers) and 2023 third-round pick for Tunsil and sixth-round pick (No. 181)

   

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks may lose starting tackles Duane Brown and Brandon Shell via free agency.

Brown will turn 37 years old in August, and despite a strong finish to the 2021 campaign, he gave up eight sacks in 969 snaps. Over the past two seasons, Shell has logged most of his snaps at right tackle, but he's missed 12 contests in that span. Seattle can use some of its projected $34.8 million in cap space for an upgrade at the position.

As the Seahawks communicate with Russell Wilson to keep him in the fold (h/t NFL Network's Mike Garafolo), general manager John Schneider can put a smile on the quarterback's face with a new left tackle who can provide solid pass protection. In 2021, Seattle allowed pressure on 27.1 percent of dropbacks, which ranked fifth-worst.

Unlike the Bengals and Dolphins, the Seahawks don't have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft because of their deal with the New York Jets for safety Jamal Adams. Schneider would likely have to dip into the club's 2023 draft capital to execute a deal, but Tunsil is worth the cost to satisfy Wilson and fill a major roster void.

Trade Package: Second-round pick (No. 41), third-round pick (No. 72) and 2023 first-round pick for Tunsil and 2023 fifth-round pick

   

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference. Salary-cap information via Over the Cap.

A judge denied, in part, Deshaun Watson's request to delay his deposition in his ongoing civil lawsuits stemming from allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

Rusty Hardin, who's representing the Houston Texans star, was attempting to push the deposition back until Watson's criminal case concluded. Ten women filed criminal complaints last summer.

Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier ruled Monday that nine plaintiffs who didn't lodge a criminal complaint will have the opportunity to move forward with the depositions when Hardin is available, per Mad Dog Sports Radio's Mike Meltser:

Buzbee informs the Court that there are 9 plaintiffs who have been deposed and have not filed criminal complaints

— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) February 21, 2022

Judge Collier: for the plaintiffs who have filed criminal complains, these plaintiffs may proceed with Deshaun Watson's deposition AFTER April 1st

— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) February 21, 2022

it sounds like Hardin is not available this week or next week, so the depositions that Judge Collier allowed to move forward would probably start the week of March 7th

— Mike Meltser (@MikeMeltser) February 21, 2022

After the ruling, Hardin said Tony Buzbee, who's representing the plaintiffs, is attempting to try the case in the court of public opinion and maintained his client's innocence:

Deshaun Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, after today's hearing which was held to determine whether or not to push back his client's deposition.

The judge ruled that some of the plaintiffs could move forward with Watson's deposition.

"He didn't do what he's accused of doing" pic.twitter.com/KxKV3ehutV

— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 21, 2022

Rusty Hardin on his client, #Texans QB Deshaun Watson. "At the end of the day, this remains a very good man who I would suggest to you respectfully is being incredibly unfairly treated." pic.twitter.com/3ZiaXyhlHU

— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 21, 2022

Buzbee claimed that Watson "doesn't want to sit in a room and face his accusers and answer questions under oath":

Tony Buzbee addresses the media after today's hearing. The judge ruled that at least 9 depositions of Deshaun Watson can proceed.

"As you can see from the hearing...he doesn't want to sit in a room and face his accusers and answer questions under oath." pic.twitter.com/2VMGlMfBO7

— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 21, 2022

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted what Watson says in the deposition can be used in his criminal case. Meltser speculated that Hardin might instruct Watson to exercise his Fifth Amendment rights in his civil depositions to avoid incriminating himself.

After the allegations surfaced, the three-time Pro Bowler has been in a holding pattern with regard to his NFL career. While the NFL has yet to levy any suspension against him, he was a healthy scratch for the entire 2021 season.

The uncertainty around Watson's legal situation and the potential for any punishment by the league has also hindered Houston's ability to trade him after he reportedly requested an exit last winter.

In October, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain reported the Texans and Miami Dolphins had worked out the preliminary terms of a trade. However, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted a resolution to the civil suits before executing the move.

Florio questioned whether Monday's ruling will prolong the situation further since "the timeline also makes it harder to trade Watson before other teams begin making decisions about who their quarterbacks will be for 2022."

Deshaun Watson is facing 22 lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct, but the Houston Texans have no plans on lowering their asking price for the quarterback.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported the Texans still plan to ask teams for "five to seven assets, including three first-round picks" in trade talks this offseason.

Watson is also facing a criminal investigation and a probe by the NFL over the accusations, which led to him sitting out the entire 2021 season as a healthy inactive.

The three-time Pro Bowler requested a trade from the Texans last offseason before the accusations were made public. While the team shopped Watson, it found few takers willing to take a risk while litigation was ongoing. It's highly likely Watson will face a suspension from the NFL under the personal conduct policy, regardless of the result of his criminal and civil cases. 

Teams will likely remain unwilling to meet the Texans' asking price—or come even close—until the legal situation is settled. Any team that eventually does trade for Watson faces a firestorm of public-relations backlash, along with likely being without him for several games during the 2022 season.

The Miami Dolphins were the team most heavily linked to Watson in 2021, but it appears they're committed to Tua Tagovailoa under new coach Mike McDaniel. Jonathan Alexander of the Charlotte Observer reported the Carolina Panthers are expected to be among the teams interested in Watson this offseason.

Despite being connected to multiple teams in trade rumors, Deshaun Watson's agent is denying that his client is looking at any clubs right now. 

Speaking to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports HQ and USA Today, David Mulugheta said Watson's camp hasn't "had any talks among ourselves or with teams about possible destinations as we are focused on clearing Deshaun’s name at this time."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that Watson has started evaluating teams that could be potential fits in 2022, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings among those that interested him. 

Watson's status for next season remains uncertain because 22 women have filed lawsuits against him accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct. 

Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, told ESPN's John Barr in July that 10 women have filed police complaints against Watson, including two women who have not filed lawsuits.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported in May that the "agreed docket control order" for the lawsuits "provides that Watson’s sworn deposition won’t be taken before February 22, 2022."

Florio noted on Wednesday that it's unclear when the grand jury will conclude its work into the criminal complaints against Watson, but the results of that could play a significant role in determining whether or not he gets traded. 

"If he’s indicted on one or more felony charges, a trade becomes much harder to accomplish," Florio wrote. "If he’s indicted on misdemeanor charges or not at all, it becomes easier for him to proceed."

There were rumblings that Watson was going to be traded during the season, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross elected not to move forward with a deal. 

Assuming Tom Brady's retirement sticks, the Buccaneers are going to be among the teams in search of a new quarterback before the start of next season.

The Vikings currently have Kirk Cousins under contract, but ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported his camp could try to force the team's hand by either playing out the final year of his current deal or forcing a trade. 

Watson is also facing potential discipline from the NFL under the personal conduct policy. He didn't appear in a game for the Texans during the 2021 season, but that was because the team kept him inactive.    

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly views the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings as potential fits if the Texans trade him this offseason.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, Watson is "early in the evaluation process" and wants to land with a team that features "the right blend of offensive system, coaching, talent and, most importantly, the chance to win."

Watson did not play at all in 2021, as the Texans left him inactive as he faced 22 civil lawsuits filed by women accusing him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

Watson is also the subject of 10 police complaints, including two from women who haven't filed lawsuits.

While Watson has not been punished by the NFL, nor has there been a resolution in the civil or legal cases, he could face punishment from the league even if he avoids jail time, which complicates matters with regard to a trade.

Knowing Watson had no desire to play in Houston any longer, the Texans could have pushed to trade him during the 2021 season, but they decided to wait and weigh their options during the offseason instead.

Watson undoubtedly comes with a ton of question marks, but he is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL when he is available.

In four NFL seasons, the 26-year-old Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler and has reached the playoffs twice.

Although the Texans went just 4-12 in 2020, Watson enjoyed his best statistical season, completing 70.2 percent of his passes for an NFL-high 4,823 yards, as well as 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He also rushed for 444 yards and three scores.

Tampa Bay would be a logical landing spot following the retirement of Tom Brady after two seasons with the team.

Brady led the Bucs to a Super Bowl win to conclude the 2020 season, and they were strong contenders in 2021 as well, but they fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.

The Bucs are built to win now on both sides of the ball, but doing so will be difficult without a top-flight quarterback to replace Brady. Tampa won't be able to get one in the draft or free agency, but landing Watson via trade could keep the Bucs in the title mix.

Minnesota is a less obvious fit because of the presence of Kirk Cousins as the Vikings' starting quarterback.

While the Vikings have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, Cousins is coming off arguably the best statistical season of his career.

The 33-year-old was named a Pro Bowler for the third time after completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Getting rid of Cousins would be a tough decision after that type of season, but he is set to become a free agent following the 2022 season and is scheduled to count for $45 million against the salary cap in 2022 as well.

Watson could excel in a Minnesota offense that features running back Dalvin Cook and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

It is possible Watson could be the missing piece in Minnesota, but until there is more clarity regarding his status, it may be difficult for the Vikings or any other team to justify trading for him.

Olympic superstar Simone Biles and Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens are getting married. 

The couple announced on social media that Owens proposed Monday:

WOKE UP A FIANCÉE 💍💍😭

I can’t wait to spend forever & ever with you, you’re everything I dreamed of and more! let’s get married! 🕊🤎@jjowens_3 pic.twitter.com/BcrWvhEE38

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) February 15, 2022

"Appreciate my dawg @don_julio314 for helping me set everything up, she really had no clue what was coming 😂 @zofrost you went crazy on this one bro really made the night special," Owens wrote on Instagram about the proposal. 

Biles and Owens made their relationship public in August 2020. 

Biles is one of the most decorated U.S. athletes in Olympic history. She has seven career Olympic medals, tied with Shannon Miller for the most ever by an American in gymnastics. The 24-year-old won four gold medals at the 2016 Games in the all-around, vault, floor exercise and team event. 

Owens just finished his third season with the Texans. He was originally undrafted out of Missouri Western in 2018 before signing with the Arizona Cardinals. 

After being waived the Cardinals in August 2019, Owens joined the Texans practice squad. The 26-year-old made his NFL debut in Week 11 of the 2019 season, playing eight snaps on special teams against the Indianapolis Colts. 

Owens has appeared in 13 games combined over the past two seasons. He recorded his first career interception in a Week 16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers this season. 

New Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith isn't looking to let any uncertainty about Deshaun Watson's future with the team to drag on throughout the offseason.

Smith told The MMQB's Albert Breer he wants the matter resolved "as soon as possible":

I’m not running away from the question, but as soon as possible. There are things that need to be taken care of before the football part comes into play. We’re patient, we’ve waited an entire year and I just feel like this offseason, it’ll come to an end and we’ll get it solved and it’ll be good for both parties, whatever that might be. There’s no other answer to give right now except for that one, and we’re going to try to get it resolved as soon as we possibly can.

Watson remains the subject of 22 lawsuits tied to allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Ten women have also filed criminal complaints with Houston police.

While the NFL has yet to levy any suspension against the three-time Pro Bowler, he missed the entire 2021 season after the allegations surfaced.

In October, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain reported the Miami Dolphins had agreed to the general structure of a trade involving Watson. However, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted more clarity on the quarterback's off-field situation before the deal would become final.

The sexual assault allegations came against the backdrop of strife between Watson and the Texans. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in January 2021 he had requested to be traded, another sign of Houston's backslide into irrelevance.

It stands to reason that Watson's days with the team are numbered once his legal matters are concluded.

Davis Mills started 11 games as a rookie with Watson unavailable in 2021. He threw for 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 66.8 percent of his passes.

Smith said last week on Good Morning Football (via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com) that Mills "played about as well as any of the rookie quarterbacks did last year," and he echoed that sentiment to Breer.

"So everyone wants to talk about the quarterback; I like him," said Smith, who was Houston's associate head coach and defensive coordinator last season. "I like his demeanor, how smart he is, and I like that he and [promoted offensive coordinator] Pep Hamilton have been together for a year already. Those things should help us."

Smith added, though, that Mills won't have an unassailable lead on the starting job if a QB competition opens this offseason.

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores will reportedly alter his lawsuit against the NFL, Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants to include a retaliation claim against the Houston Texans for not hiring him, according to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio. 

Flores was reportedly a finalist for the Texans' head coaching position, but the franchise opted to hire defensive coordinator Lovie Smith instead. 

Florio writes:

"Common sense suggests that the Texans realized they couldn’t hire unproven and inexperienced Josh McCown, and they wouldn’t hire Flores. Smith became the compromise candidate, arguably thrown into the mix late to allow the Texans to avoid hiring Flores."

On Feb. 1, ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques reported Flores' lawsuit against the NFL and several of its teams. Before adding the Texans to the lawsuit, Flores alleged discrimination in his interview process with the Broncos and Giants, and in his firing by the Dolphins. 

Flores also alleges that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross attempted to bribe him to lose games on purpose after he was hired in 2019. Flores alleges that Ross offered him $100,000 for every loss during the 2019 campaign. 

The Dolphins opened the 2019 season with seven straight losses but won five of their last nine games. They ended with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft and selected Tua Tagovailoa. Flores said that Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told him Ross was upset that the team's late wins were "compromising [the team's] draft position."

Flores also listed other allegations against Ross, including saying he was "treated with disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with."

The Dolphins fired Flores on Jan. 10 despite the 40-year-old leading the team to back-to-back winning seasons and going 24-25 overall. 

As for the Giants, Flores alleged the franchise only interviewed him to satisfy the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for vacant coaching positions. In addition, Flores alleged that in 2019, former Broncos general manager John Elway arrived to his interview hungover. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently admitted during a news conference that the league must do better in its interviewing and hiring process.

“We believe in diversity. We believe it has made us stronger. People who have come into the league who are diverse have been very successful and made us better, and we just have to do a better job. ... Is there another thing that we can do to make sure that we’re attracting the best talent and making our league more inclusive? If I had the answer right now, I would give it to you. I would have implemented it.

I think we have to continue to look and find and step back and say, 'We're not doing a good enough job here.' We need to find better solutions and better outcomes. Let's find more effective policies. Let's make sure everyone understands. Let's make sure that we're looking at diversity and incentivizing that for everybody in our building.

However, those comments came after Goodell said Flores' allegations were "without merit." 

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL and three teams alleging racial discrimination didn't affect his candidacy for the team's head coaching vacancy.

Caserio was asked about Flores, a finalist for the Texans' job before they promoted Lovie Smith on Monday, during a press conference Tuesday:

https://twitter.com/riversmccown/status/1491100162198024198

The comments come after Flores' attorneys, Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis, said in a statement Monday night their client wasn't selected because of the litigation:

Statement from Brian Flores’ attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis on the Texans hiring Lovie Smith. pic.twitter.com/gCAzWDh5i0

— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) February 8, 2022

Flores' lawsuit included direct claims against three teams—the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants—related to their hiring practices. Flores was fired by the Dolphins in January despite back-to-back winning seasons.

The NFL initially released a statement saying the allegations were "without merit," but commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a memo Saturday stating the league "[understands] the concerns expressed" by Flores:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just sent this memo to clubs, saying the league is retaining outside experts to help reevaluate its DEI policies and matters regarding integrity of the game will be “reviewed thoroughly and independently” in light of allegations from Brian Flores. pic.twitter.com/VUK2dm0MMe

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 5, 2022

Houston's selection of Smith finished the NFL's latest head coach hiring cycle with just two of the nine available jobs going to people of color: Smith and the Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel. They join the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin, Washington Commanders' Ron Rivera and New York Jets' Robert Saleh.

Caserio didn't delve into why Flores wasn't the team's final choice but said he's "been a good coach in this league for a number of years."

Flores, 40, spent 11 years in different roles on the New England Patriots' coaching staff before being hired by the Dolphins. He'd previously spent time in the Pats' scouting department.

He posted a 24-25 record across three years in Miami during his first stint as a head coach.

Attorneys for Brian Flores say the Houston Texans passed him over because of the lawsuit he recently filed against the NFL and three teams.

Representatives for the former Miami Dolphins head coach said Monday that while he was one of three finalists for the Texans' vacancy, "it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL."

A statement from Brian Flores’ attorneys on the #Texans hiring Lovie Smith. pic.twitter.com/092OBvsjG8

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) February 8, 2022

The statement comes after the Texans announced they hired Lovie Smith.

According to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain, the coaching search almost had a far different outcome. McClain reported the organization was prepared to hire Josh McCown, who has no coaching experience in the NFL, but became concerned with the optics after the fallout from Flores' lawsuit.

“The Flores lawsuit caused teams still needing head coaches to step back and reevaluate. The Texans knew they were going to get ridiculed for hiring McCown … Hiring him at the expense of a more experienced minority became a deal-breaker, so they reached out to Smith.” https://t.co/byYA7M9r8Y

— Jerome Solomon (@JeromeSolomon) February 8, 2022

Flores' suit laid out a number of grievances.

The 40-year-old said Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for each of the team's losses in 2019 as it embarked on a total rebuild. While he would've been compensated well if the Dolphins had an abject record, said record might be held against him if he found himself looking for another job.

Ross denied what was presented in the lawsuit, calling the claims against the Dolphins "false, malicious and defamatory."

Flores also shared a text exchange with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that indicated the New York Giants had already decided they were hiring Brian Daboll as their next head coach this offseason before Flores had had his interview.

Texts from Bill Belichick to Brian Flores, congratulating Brian for landing the #Giants job.

Belichick thought he was texting Brian Daboll. He was texting Flores by mistake. pic.twitter.com/Y686XcjYC3

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 1, 2022

The Giants responded to say they "are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll."

In general, Flores' case has brought what were longstanding issues back to the forefront of conversations around the NFL. Arguing the Rooney Rule is failing to adequately address the lack of diversity on coaching staffs is nothing new.

Still, no coach has challenged the NFL power structure in the way Flores has, and that has left many wondering whether he'll face any sort of professional repercussions.

In February 2019, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid settled a grievance against the NFL after alleging teams colluded not to sign them as free agents in response to their outspoken social advocacy.

Flores said on an interview with CBS Mornings his lawsuit is "bigger than coaching."

"I understand the risk, and yes, it was a difficult decision and I went back and forth," he said. "And like I said, I love coaching, I do. It's something that I'm passionate about, it brings me joy and I love helping young people reach their potential and become the best versions of themselves. I'm gifted to do that. But this is bigger than that."

Between the Texans landing on Smith and the New Orleans Saints tabbing Dennis Allen as Sean Payton's successor, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, there are no longer any more head coaching jobs available in the NFL.

It appears Flores will have to wait for at least another year before he gets the opportunity to be a head coach again in the league.