The Houston Texans have dismissed outside linebackers coach John Pagano.
According to a report from the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, the AFC South club informed the senior defensive assistant that they will no longer require his services with the organization.
Texans outside linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant John Pagano has been dismissed, according to league sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 18, 2020
The Texans’ edge rushing was anemic in 2019 as the team produced 31 sacks, tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the sixth-fewest in the NFL. Only the Seattle Seahawks with 28 has fewer among playoff teams.
Houston’s tackles for loss were also bottom-10 in the NFL as they generated 51, the third-fewest in the league and the absolute fewest among playoff teams.
Part of the problem was personnel. The Texans traded defensive end-outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks on Aug. 31 for draft picks and also outside linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin. However, given how putrid the Seahawks were with Clowney, there is no guarantee he would have made much of a difference for Houston either.
The Texans’ leading sack producer was outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus with 7.5. 2019 was the first time since 2017 when Clowney had 9.5 that the Texans failed to have a single player go over the double-digit sack mark.