Easterby out: Texans part ways with controversial front office executive

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Texans and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby have agreed to part ways, the team announced on Monday.

Texans chair and CEO Cal McNair called the separation mutual.

"For the remainder of the season, effective immediately, his responsibilities will be absorbed by our Football Operations staff. We acknowledge Jack's positive contributions and wish him and his family the best in the future," a McNair statement read.

Following the team's statement, Easterby offered some words for his departure.

"My family and I are thankful for our time in Houston. We appreciate the opportunities the McNair family has provided us and wish the organization well moving forward," Easterby tweeted.

ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier reported on the team and Easterby parting ways.

Houston hired Easterby in 2019 and as Schefter notes, he had a major voice in the organization, something that may have been to the chagrin of players.

In January 2021, fan and team favorite Andre Johnson said that "Since (executive vice president of football operations) Jack Easterby has walk (sic) into the building nothing good has happened in/for the organization and for some reason someone can't seem to see what's going on."

Johnson, a retired Texans wide receiver who spent 12 years of his career in Houston, was responding at the time to Deshaun Watson's desire at the time to be traded.

Johnson criticized Easterby, a key front office executive who had drawn scrutiny in both the media and the Texans' fan base, adding that the Texans are an organization known for wasting players' careers.

Johnson never saw postseason success with the team and endured playing under four different head coaches.

Easterby was promoted to executive vice president of football operations in January 2020, a time when Bill O'Brien was still calling the plays and added general manager to his coaching responsibilities.

McNair gave Easterby responsibility over personnel after O'Brien was fired, but he said Easterby would not be named general manager going forward.

According to ESPN, Easterby's new role was unprecedented considering he previously served as a chaplain in the league.

He entered the NFL in 2011 after working as a character coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks. During that time, he also worked with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He was then hired by the New England Patriots as their character coach during a time when Aaron Hernandez was arrested and charged with murder.

According to Romeo Crennel, who would also later go on to join the Texans, it was there in New England where Easterby grew from being team chaplain to learning more about NFL team operations, earning a positive reputation.

Easterby was hired as the team's executive vice president of team development in April 2019, becoming O'Brien's right-hand man.

After his promotion, Easterby became the Texans' highest-ranking front-office person in terms of title in the organization.

But his rise to power may not have set well with everyone.

In a December 2020 report by Sport Illustrated, the outlet said that it spoke to dozens of people, including some in the Texans organization, who provided detailed accounts of how Easterby allegedly undermined other executives and decision makers, advocated for trading star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, another sore sport for Texans fans, and fostered a culture of distrust in the Texans franchise, among other things.

ESPN contributed to this report.