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Former Patriots coach is ‘one of the most important people in the NFL’ in 2026

Over the course of three years, Nick Caley has gone from New England Patriots tight ends coach to one of the most pivotal coaching roles in the league.

ESPN’s Kevin Clark went a step further, naming Caley as “one of the most important people in the NFL this year.” That’s because, as first-year offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, Caley will have the fate of quarterback C.J. Stroud in his hands.

“He’s one of the most important people in the NFL this year, because it’s his job to get an elite quarterback back on track,” Clark said on ESPN’s “NFL Live.