Bill O'Brien's best play-call at OC may be an audible: hiring himself

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After making the difficult, yet necessary call of jettisoning longtime friend George Godsey as his offensive coordinator, fiery coach Bill O'Brien has a big decision to make about the direction of the Texans' beleaguered offense.

O'Brien's next, best and most logical play-calling decision should be hiring himself for the job, formally or informally.

O'Brien really doesn't have an in-house candidate besides himself on the staff that makes any sense.

And it wouldn't be a surprise in league circles if O'Brien ultimately decides to operate as his own offensive coordinator next season rather than make an outside hire who wouldn't be as well-versed in the complicated system O'Brien brought with him from his days as the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator collaborating with star quarterback Tom Brady.

Under that scenario, O'Brien could then shuffle his offensive coaching staff to fill positions.

O'Brien could have receivers coach Sean Ryan, a former New York Giants quarterbacks and receivers coach, shift over to coaching the quarterbacks. Tight ends coach John Perry could coach the receivers. And the Texans could elevate offensive quality control coach-assistant offensive line coach Tim Kelly to tight ends coach.

O'Brien has the most extensive knowledge and background in the system and would likely be the most aggressive play-caller.

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Green Bay. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Green Bay. ( Brett ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Bill O'Brien's best play-call at OC may be an audible: hiring himself 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

O'Brien was already calling the plays periodically throughout the season after taking over play-calling duties from Godsey following a 27-0 shutout loss to the Patriots in the third game of the season.

O'Brien and Godsey later collaborated on the play-calling, standing side by side on the sideline holding play sheets.

With two years remaining on a five-year contract, O'Brien might as well bet on himself and push the chips into the middle of the table by doubling down on himself as the de facto offensive coordinator regardless of job titles.

The Texans finished 29th in total offense and 31st in red-zone offense last season. It's unlikely to think the offense would regress more with O'Brien having a full season at the controls.

It makes sense to think that inserting himself might provide an upgrade to a moribund attack that struggled mightily last season as $72 million quarterback experiment Brock Osweiler threw 16 interceptions.

Could the Texans use some more creative ideas offensively? Absolutely, but their greatest problem is solving a quarterback quandary that's holding back a division champion that's otherwise built to be an annual playoff contender.