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ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter are reporting that after meeting with Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien on Cape Cod after Christmas, the Houston Texans have begun the process of drafting a contract that would being the second-year coach of the Nittany Lions to the NFL.
O'Brien has become the overwhelming favorite for the Texans' position after interviewing earlier this week and with many pieces in place and, potentially, the number-one pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, which could be used on a franchise quarterback such as Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles or Derek Carr, Houston may be the most attractive spot for O'Brien if he were to jump to the pros this offseason. He still has nearly a $6.5 million buyout to get out of his Penn State contract, but that is more than affordable for an NFL owner.
It should be noted that O'Brien's camp has not said anything yet, only NFL sources.
O'Brien has gone 15-9 in two seasons at Penn State while facing scholarship reductions and bowl bans due to fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal which rocked the school. He earned national Coach of the Year honors in 2012 after an 8-4 debut season at the helm.
You may start freaking out now.
Update: According to Lions247, defensive line recruit Thomas Holley reached out to O'Brien after this report surfaced. Holley was reportedly told by the coach that the reports were not true, and that no deal was in place.
