In this week's episode of As Kirby Turns:

The offseason is upon us! Black Monday festivities have commenced. Heads have rolled. Interviews are being conducted (virtually; and all C.D.C. guidelines for social distancing are being followed). This part of the NFL offseason excites me just as much as the playoffs, free agency, and the draft. Firings, hirings, mutual parting of ways, releases, extensions...coaching staffs and front office types get shuffled about like items at a swap meet. Teams are looking for new beginnings, fresh starts, and a way out of the malaise that was their previous regimes. And then there are the Texans.

The Texans are trying to wash away the stench of Bill O'Brien. There are some remnants of O'Brien left on Kirby however, and Jack Easterby is one of them. The difference between Easterby and others that have gotten whacked, he's positioned himself so close to Cal McNair that he's almost insulated himself from the firing squad. Or has he?!?

Recent reports have linked the Texans to Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio...AGAIN! Last offseason when the team unceremoniously got rid of general manager Brian Gaine, they tried to get Caserio from the Patriots. In true Texans form, they were rebuffed when the Patriots threw out allegations of impropriety against the Texans and they promptly folded instead of fighting. Yet here we are again.

Despite the whole notion of the Texans trying to create "Patriots South" and failing miserably, it seems as if Easterby is pushing them in this direction still. It reminded some of the Littlefinger character. Why you may ask? Well, if you're familiar with Littlefinger's character in Game of Thrones, he's all about self-preservation. "Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder." That statement has never rung more true than watching Easterby work his way up the ladder in this organization.

It's my belief that the new Caserio rumors are rooted in Easterby's attempt to secure himself in this organization. Think about it: if he gets Caserio hired as the new general manager, Caserio owes Easterby a debt of gratitude. Easterby could go from the verge of being let go or buried in busy work, to saving himself by helping an old colleague get hired to a position that could save his own job. How Littlefinger of him would that be?

If the Texans hire someone outside of the scope in which Easterby can control, he may feel as if his job is in jeopardy and react accordingly. What that may look like, I'm not sure. Maybe he has the McNairs so deeply in his grasp that it doesn't matter who's hired to come in and run this team because he may be safe regardless. Maybe he sees his days are numbered and will use whatever influence he has to make sure he stays on. Only one way to find out...tune in next week on As Kirby Turns!