At 5 p.m. ET on Monday, the Houston Texans shocked the football world. Longtime Houston Chronicle beat writer John McClain tweeted the words that would stun many: "Texans owner Cal McNair has fired Bill O'Brien as coach and GM."
With one tweet, McClain unofficially fired the starter's pistol for the NFL's hiring cycle. This year it just started much earlier than anyone expected.
This isn't an article to justify or condemn chief executive officer Cal McNair's decision to fire O'Brien after the Texans started 0-4. This isn't even about the team blowing a 24-0 lead against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional playoffs.