Report: Texans Interested in Eagles’ DC Jonathan Gannon

The Houston Texans, who fired head coach Lovie Smith on Sunday, are reportedly interested in Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to replace him.

Gannon was listed as an early candidate by KPRC 2 in Houston's Aaron Wilson on Sunday. Gannon interviewed with the Texans, twice last season, before losing out to Smith, who was fired after just one season in Houston.

Several league sources have labeled Gannon as a top candidate for the Texans’ potential opening after he made a strong impression during his interviews with the Texans last season.

Gannon, 40, has been an assistant coach in the pro ranks since 2007, starting as a quality control coach with the Atlanta falcons. He has been a defensive backs coach before landing in Philadelphia with the Eagles as defensive coordinator in 2021.

Gannon “knocked it out of the park” and “crushed” his meetings with NFL teams, impressing them with his knowledge, creativity, detailed plans about strategy and staff and his passion for the game, according to league sources.

With Gannon, the Eagles defense has been one of the top units in the NFL this season and had a historic season, sacking the quarterback. The team's 70 sacks were 15 better than the Chiefs, who had 55 on the season.

Like Gannon or not, he is the coordinator of the NFL’s second-ranked defense and could be a big loss if he is hired by the Texans, or another team for that matter.