Texans: Two clauses that must be added to O’Brien’s contract now
By Paul Conlon
Two clauses O’Brien’s contract needs right now
To remain solution-oriented, here are two clauses that should be in every Texans’ contract for head coaches and general managers going forward. These concepts might vaguely receive representation in some form or fashion, but details about contracts for coaches and general managers generally stay very well guarded.
First clause
O’Brien should have been terminated months ago after verbally abusing a fan. And frankly, what does that say when NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, has yet to impose a penalty on an NFL coach who arguably violated the league’s Personal Conduct Policy? Is it really okay for NFL employees to scream at, gesture aggressively, and cuss out heckling fans potentially near children now? There needs to be league-wide accountability on this matter.
Therefore, a contract for O’Brien’s services as a coach, or as a general manager for that matter,
should include a clause such as, “This contract shall be nullified if the employee knowingly and willfully engages in conduct detrimental to the Houston Texans’ organization, brand, or vision.”
Second clause
O’Brien’s contract should include a trade review clause such as, “Any roster trade, roster acquisition, or roster release must be approved by ownership before it may proceed.” I have never met Cal McNair, but I doubt he is at peace with the fact that Hopkins’ number will likely be retired elsewhere by another franchise in potentially as soon as a decade from now.
The Texans’ Ring of Honor, already featuring probable NFL Hall of Famer, Andre Johnson, will one day include J.J. Watt, and quite possibly, Deshaun Watson. But even if at some point in the future the franchise decides to retire Hopkins’ number for his seven seasons of stellar work, it will feel bittersweet for many Texans fans.
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Such fans will be left to ponder what could have been when Hopkins and Watson were in their primes and on the same team trying against all odds to do what is improbable, but not impossible—win a ring together. Such fans will be left to ponder—was any of this really necessary?