Texans view Brian Flores as finalist for head-coaching vacancy?

Reports surfaced last week that long-time quarterback Josh McCown was viewed as the betting favorite among candidates to become the next head coach of the Houston Texans even though the widely-respected signal-caller has never worked even as an assistant at a high college or pro level. 

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and current Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon are also finalists for the gig along with McCown.

Flores, of course, generated headlines this week when he filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, the Dolphins, the Denver Broncos and New York Giants on Tuesday alleging acts of racial discrimination related to interview processes and his firing by the Dolphins. It's unknown if that lawsuit will prevent a team from hiring Flores this offseason, but New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis raised eyes Wednesday when he said Flores informed the team about the lawsuit after his recent interview regarding New Orleans' opening at head coach. Loomis also called Flores "an impressive candidate."

For what it's worth, the NFL and all of the teams mentioned in the lawsuit have vehemently denied Flores' allegations, and Broncos president of football operations John Elway and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross have suggested in statements they could pursue legal action against the 40-year-old. While some would view the Texans hiring Flores as a savvy public relations move, doing so could present Houston or a different team with headaches that wouldn't be attached to any other candidate.