Although Bill O'Brien was careful not to disclose anything Tuesday, I expect him to sign a contract extension after extensive meetings with owner Bob McNair and vice chairman Cal McNair about the direction of the team and the organization.

Hiring a general manager who can forge a positive working relationship with O'Brien is essential for the McNairs and their vision of returning the Texans to the playoffs next season.

"It starts at the top," O'Brien said during his end-of-season news conference. "I think it all comes down to the direction that (Bob) McNair wants to head."

Hiring a general manager and extending O'Brien's deal are McNair's top priorities.

"I think (McNair) would say this: That everybody would have to agree on that direction and whichever road we wanted to travel relative to that position," O'Brien said. "I think it would have to be, and he would say this, there would have to be a collective agreement on that.

"I really enjoy being the head coach here. I think we have the makings of a good team with the core players we have. … There's a bright future for this organization, no doubt about it. But these are all things that are being hashed out, discussed, on a daily basis."

Reporters asked O'Brien every possible question about his situation and what he preferred in a general manager, but he wouldn't say anything revealing.

"We're having some very positive, productive talks right now," O'Brien said. "I don't really want to get into exactly what the talks are about.

"I would tell you this: That the talks are all about doing what's best for this organization, a lot of ideas. I feel very positive about the direction of the discussions, but they're ongoing."

After the new general manager is hired to replace Rick Smith, he'll answer to the McNairs. They're using the executive search firm of Korn Ferry they employed in 2014 when they hired O'Brien.

Gaine a smooth transition

The Texans got permission to interview Buffalo vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine, who spent three seasons (2014-16) as the Texans' director of pro personnel and director of player personnel.

Gaine, who was well-respected by members of the coaching staff - especially O'Brien - as well as the personnel department, is familiar with the organization. Hiring Gaine would offer the Texans the smoothest transition.

Nick Caserio, New England's vice president of personnel, is expected to be another candidate. He's highly regarded in NFL circles and spent five seasons (2007-12) working with O'Brien at the Patriots. They are close friends.

Another candidate is Jimmy Raye III, the Texans' vice president of football operations/assistant general manager. Another executive mentioned is Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay's director of player personnel who could be a candidate to replace Ted Thompson as the Packers' general manager.

Once O'Brien's situation is solidified and the new general manager is in place, more changes will come the Texans' way.

The changes began Sunday when Smith announced he's taking a year-long leave of absence to be with his wife, who's being treated for breast cancer.

"Coaching is a business where you're going to move," O'Brien said, "but stability is always something you look for (for) your family. You want what's best for your family.

"That's why I have a lot of respect for what Rick's doing. I mean, family's No. 1. But relative to our job, No. 1 is to make sure we're pointing everything in the right direction to get the Texans back where they need to be."

'Everything is on the table'

More changes were made Tuesday when five coaches were fired or left on their own. Defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel is interviewing for the head coaching job at Detroit on Wednesday. Quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will interview for the offensive coordinator job at Cleveland.

One change that won't be necessary is Romeo Crennel. O'Brien said he expected Crennel to remain as assistant head coach.

If Vrabel leaves, it would be an easy transition for Crennel to return to defensive coordinator.

Change is inevitable after every season, especially one that ends with a 4-12 record. But when a coach is beginning a second contract with a general manager he's on the same page with, there could be sweeping changes in the way they do business.

In other words, at some point before training camp begins, fans will see a noticeable difference in the way the Texans are run on the personnel and football side of the organization.

"These are all things that are being discussed," O'Brien said. "I mean, everything is on the table when it comes to (changes) because that's the way Bob operates.

"He wants to hear ideas. He wants facts. He wants the truth. That's important to him. That's important to Cal, and that's important to me - everybody that's involved in that discussion."

New GM, new philosophy?

Smith was in charge of the personnel side for 12 years. The Texans won four division titles and three playoff games with Gary Kubiak and O'Brien.

During his reign, Smith had final say on personnel decisions and oversaw the draft and free agency. He was in charge of medical, training, strength and rehabilitation, equipment, sports science and the football operations departments.

As Smith pointed out Monday, it's a big job with a lot of responsibilities.

Smith implemented his philosophy. For instance, Smith didn't do contract negotiations during the season because he didn't want them to become a distraction for players. That philosophy also gave agents a deadline for deals to be completed.

With exceptions like Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt, Smith didn't extend contracts for his best players until they had one year remaining, like DeAndre Hopkins last year.

Will the new general manager have a different philosophy on contract negotiations?

At this early point in the process, there are more questions than answers. But once the McNairs have the general manager in house and O'Brien extended, we'll have a better idea of what direction the Texans are headed in 2018.