Houston rejoices as controversial Houston Texans executive Jack Easterby was finally fired by the team after years of questionable behavior.
This morning, Adam Schefter broke news that he described as a “significant shakeup”: the Houston Texans were finally parting ways with executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby.
A significant shakeup in Houston: Texans are parting ways with their executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby, sources tell ESPN. Houston hired Easterby in 2019 and he had a major voice in the organization.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2022
Described as having a “major voice” in the organization, Easterby has been scrutinized over the past few years for his behind-the-scenes machinations that once reminded Texans players of Game of Thrones character Petyr Baelish.
Easterby’s questionable methods and motives have been explored at length, but the firing by the Texans indicates a genuine rebuild for a troubled organization. Despite an impressive 2017 season and shortened postseason, the Texans have been saddled with the inadequate coaching and management of Bill O’Brien, who made a slew of confounding trades that set the franchise back years. That, and the culture Easterby created in the locker room, has taken the Texans from promise to precipitous plummet in a matter of years.
With Easterby gone, the city of Houston finds relief and hope in the Texans future.
Houston rejoices with news that Jack Easterby is out of the building
For those unfamiliar with the Easterby saga, it’s difficult to summarize just how much he detroyed this organization from within. But words like “pox” put it succinctly, and the testimonies of Texans players speak volumes about what this moment means.
Even those who would never wish for someone to lose their job were glad to see Easterby gone.
Normally, you never wish a lost job on anyone. But Jack Easterby was a pox on the entire organization. He infiltrated it and ruined it from the top. Like a parasite. And now he is gone. It is a great day for Texans fans.
— John P. Lopez (@LopezOnSports) October 17, 2022
Former Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong described Easterby as “the start of the Texans downfall.”
Former #Texans WR Jaelen Strong on the firing of Jack Easterby:
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) October 17, 2022
“Watch how quickly things turn around in Houston. This guy was the start of the Texans downfall. Made OB believe he could be a great GM.” pic.twitter.com/PAMD6Xb5ly
There’s also Easterby’s questionable path to power in one of the “wildest” career paths imaginable in the NFL.
one of the wildest career paths i have ever seen https://t.co/5kTrbibb95 pic.twitter.com/H0s71G84Bl
— Bill DiFilippo (@billdifilippo) October 17, 2022
Fans praised the McNair family for finally severing ties with Easterby.
Jack Easterby was hired in 2019 largely because of Bill O’Brien’s recommendation. He had his footballs cut off after last season. No longer had power. Great move by the McNair family!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 17, 2022
The departure of Jack Easterby shows that Cal and Nick care.
— Drew (@IndepthTexans) October 17, 2022
Cal has gotten better in every aspect of ownership with efforts for fan engagement and trust in Nick
Caserio has control of this team and will do his best to bring winning football back to Houston pic.twitter.com/Iu3nmjNBhx
There were also reminders that this was a stunning pivot, as all onlookers assumed his job was “untouchable”, as one person put it.
Genuinely stunned that Jack Easterby was fired. After two consecutive coaching cycle flops, in which he clearly played a heavy hand, all but assumed his job was untouchable.
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) October 17, 2022
Huge play for the organization moving forward for regaining respectability/normalcy #WeAreTexans
A majority of Texans fans have been calling for Jack Easterby to be fired for years and that day has finally come..
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 17, 2022
A step in the right direction for this franchise. #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/sRun0dCYtt
I said before the season I thought this would be Jack Easterby’s last with the Texans. Had no idea he’d be fired during the season as reported by @AdamSchefter. There’ll be rejoicing throughout the organization.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 17, 2022
Other fans are now focused on what’s next for the beleaguered franchise.
Bill O'Brien and Jack Easterby put the Texans back by several years. Just a complete malpractice of what was done from a front office perspective.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) October 17, 2022
Can Nick Caserio fix it? So far things are looking up but it's going to take time.
Now they need a QB
So happy for Texans fans… they have been waiting for this moment…Jack Easterby gone feels like a black cloud has been lifted for everybody who supports the Texans. My immediate question is what does this mean for GM Nick Caserio… was he apart of this decision? Jack was his guy
— Ron Hughley (@RealRonHughley) October 17, 2022
There were also Houston sports fans who just wanted to bask in the levity of the moment.
If Houston was Oz, fans would be singing, "Ding dong the witch is dead!"
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/astros_dude/status/1582003675479740417?s=20&t=Z8C3pzQQCze6bQNqspFybw
astros goin to the ALCS, texans fired jack easterby, and the rockets extended KPJ.
— jasmine (@jasmill13) October 17, 2022
it’s a good day to be a houston sports fan
The Astros defeated the Mariners to advance to their 6th straight ALCS
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) October 17, 2022
The Texans and Jack Easterby are parting ways with each other
And Kevin Porter Jr. just got extended on the textbook definition of a team friendly contract
What an amazing time to be a Houston sports fan.
Woke up and Jack Easterby is gone pic.twitter.com/sDfp3b9SEC
— Drew (@IndepthTexans) October 17, 2022
The Texans Fire Jack Easterby, the Worst Executive in All of Professional Sports https://t.co/NlWTBl3CyU pic.twitter.com/vtmLMclIaV
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 17, 2022
Houston sports radio host Landry Locker assures listeners that he will lay out some of what Easterby’s done behind the scenes on his show in the coming week.
If you are a listener of the show you’ve heard most of what Jack Easterby said and claimed to me and others behind the scenes, a tense dinner one night. I will lay them out nicely this week. Willingness to throw Cal, O’Brien, equipment manager, Robert Kraft and others under bus.
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) October 17, 2022
Anyone who is looking to better understand the situation can read the extensive Sports Illustrated feature exploring the issue penned by Greg Bishop and Jenny Vrentas.
Much debate over the accuracy of our Jack Easterby stories from 2020/21. Especially relevant today for anyone who changed their minds in the interim. (with @JennyVrentas and @GGramling_SI):
— Greg Bishop (@GregBishopSI) October 17, 2022
1) https://t.co/3xCueVzkfa
While there’s still quite a bit up in the air for the future of the Texans, fans can find peace in the fact that this tortuous situation has now been resolved.