HOUSTON \u2013 Texans assistant beneral manager James Liipfert was a strong contender for the Atlanta Falcons\u2019 general manager job that ultimately went to Chicago Bears executive Ian Cunningham.<\/p>\n
A Georgia native and former Georgia Tech linebacker Liipfert was a finalist who interviewed with team officials in Atlanta. The Falcons officially hired Cunningham, previously a candidate for the team president job that went to Matt Ryan, Thursday night.<\/p>\n
Liipfert has been instrumental with general manager Nick Caserio in the construction of the Texans\u2019 roster on several key decisions, especially with draft picks like All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr.<\/p>\n
Liipfert is expected to continue in his same role with the Texans\u2019 scouting department.<\/p>\n
Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson was a finalist for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator job, per sources, that went to Sean Mannion.<\/p>\n
Now, Johnson is expected, per sources, to remain with the AFC South franchise.<\/p>\n
This marks the second time Johnson has interviewed with the Eagles.<\/p>\n
Johnson was previously a candidate for the Miami Dolphins\u2019 offensive coordinator job that went to former Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.<\/p>\n
Johnson has interviewed for several offensive coordinator positions in the past.<\/p>\n
He has coached Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud since he was in high school at the Elite 11 competition. Stroud, a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, had a rough playoffs with five interceptions and five forced fumbles, but his overall body of work has been successful and included three playoff wins and eight interceptions this past regular season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool, man,\u201d Johnson told KPRC 2. \u201cI never take my job, my situation that I\u2019m in, my relationship with C.J. for granted. He\u2019s a special young man, and I think we have a special relationship. Just to see him get better every week, to see his growth from then to now and just to know the potential that he has, I think the sky\u2019s the limit. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever is the best version of himself, we\u2019re chasing that every single day to push him to there, He works really hard, he cares. The sky\u2019s the limit for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson, 37, has coached Stroud, a 24-year-old former Pro Bowl selection, second overall pick, two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and consensus All-American, for his first three NFL seasons.<\/p>\n
During the past eight years, Johnson\u2019s career has taken off.<\/p>\n
The former record-setting Texas A&M quarterback and Humble native has gone from Bill Walsh fellowships with the San Francisco 49ers and Colts to a full-time quality control coach with the Colts, an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings and the lead quarterbacks coach with his hometown NFL team since Stroud was drafted three years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe being a kid back then, being 16 years old, meeting him, and now being 24, it\u2019s crazy,\u201d Stroud said. \u201cIt\u2019s almost ten years ago. It\u2019s wild. Just to see not only my growth, but his and our relationship grow, he\u2019s somebody who I consider a great friend and somebody I know I can call. I\u2019ve seen him grow as a coach and see him have his fingerprint in our system, finally, after a couple years he\u2019s able to put some input into plays.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he\u2019s done a great job of that. Coaching me on footwork, he\u2019s a mechanical genius. He\u2019s a guru when it comes to footwork and being centered in the ground, with your wrist, all that good stuff. I\u2019m very grateful and happy to have him as a coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Stroud wasn\u2019t a well-known quarterback initially at Elite 11, he wound up outperforming his friend, Carolina Panthers quarterback and top overall pick Bryce Young. That caught the eyes of recruiters, including Ohio State coach Ryan Day.<\/p>\n
Johnson encouraged Stroud to believe in himself, and be confident in his skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cJerrod\u2019s one thing for me was like, \u2018Be confident,\u2019\u201d Stroud said. \u201cAt that time, I wasn\u2019t really the highest recruit. I wasn\u2019t who I would become. Jerrod is someone I looked up to. When he was like, \u2018Man, you need to be more confident,\u2019 it changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n