Last Tuesday, it was reported that the Buffalo Bills had granted permission for their vice president of player personnel, Brian Gaine, to interview for the Houston Texans newly-vacant general manager position. Gaine had previously been the Texan’s director of player personnel and former GM Rick Smith’s right-hand man. Now it appears that there’s a good chance he will be Smith’s successor.
The NFL’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter both reported Sunday morning that Gaine is the favorite to land the Texan’s GM job, now that the Green Bay Packers have chosen to promote Brian Gutekurst, their director of player personnel, to the position of GM. Gutekurst had previously interviewed and was being considered for the Texan’s job. Now that he is no longer an option it is Gaine’s position to lose, it would seem.
With the #Packers hiring Brian Gutekunst as their GM, #Bills executive Brian Gaine is now the favorite to be the #Texans GM. He should return to Houston.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2018
After the Texans’ Week 17 loss, Smith announced he was taking an extended leave of absence to assist his wife, Tiffany, in her bout with breast cancer. While Smith has said his tenure with the Texans is not over, it’s unclear when and how the leave would end and it’s probably not something that’s being openly discussed based on the sensitive nature of the subject.
Gaine clearly has a fan in Texan’s head coach Bill O’Brien, who told the Houston Chronicle, “Brian is a very bright guy, works very hard. Great knowledge of pro and college things. Great family guy.”
There’s been no indication when the Texans will make their decision, although it could come as early as today.
Gaine was hired by the Bills in May of 2017 and helped the Bills in acquisitions of wide receiver Jordan Matthews, cornerback E.J. Gaines, running back Taiwan Jones, and quarterback Joe Webb throughout the offseason. During the season, he was on the staff that plugged injury holes at the safety, running back, and wide receiver positions among others.