Texans hire GM, extend coach

Gaine joins front office; O’Brien gets four more years.

The Houston Texans have hired Brian Gaine as general manager and extended the contract of coach Bill O’Brien through 2022.

The team announced the deals Saturday. Gaine signed a five-year contract and O’Brien was extended for four years.

Gaine brings 19 years of NFL personnel experience to Houston. He spent the 2017 season as the Buffalo Bills’ vice president of player personnel. He also served as the Texans’ director of player personnel from 201516 and director of pro personnel in 2014.

Owner Bob McNair calls Gaine an “incredibly smart, hardworking individual that understands the importance of good communication.”

Houston finished 4-12 this season after consecutive AFC South titles the previous two years. O’Brien’s 31 career victories in four years are tied for the most by a coach in franchise history.

Seahawks: Will hire Brian Schottenheimer as their next offensive coordinator, according to ESPN. He will replace Darrell Bevell, who was fired last week.

Schottenheimer spent the past two years as quarterbacks coach in Indianapolis, but has worked as a coordinator for the Rams and Jets in the NFL, along with the University of Georgia.

49ers: Linebacker Reuben Foster was arrested in Alabama and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana. AL.com says the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff ’s Office arrest database indicates Foster, who just finished his rookie season, was arrested Friday. Bond was set at $2,500.

The former Alabama linebacker was a first-team All-American for the Crimson Tide in 2016 and won the Butkus Award. He was a first-round pick in last year’s NFL draft. Foster started all 10 games he played in this season and posted 72 tackles.

Vikings: Activated quarterback Sam Bradford from injured reserve, putting their original starter this season on the roster before their first playoff game today against the Saints.

Bradford was stellar in the opening win against the Saints, but unable to play the following week because of a knee injury. Case Keenum started the next three games. Bradford was back for the Bears game, but hobbled around in the first half before being pulled.

Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Sloter give the Vikings four quarterbacks on the active roster.

Panthers: Linebacker Thomas Davis says the 2018 season will be his last. Davis confirmed his decision during an appearance on NFL Network on Friday. While the Panthers didn’t make an official announcement, the team posted a picture of Davis on its Twitter page with the word “Respect.”

Raiders: Former Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable will join Jon Gruden’s staff in the same position. The 53-year-old worked as the Raiders’ line coach in 2007-08, interim head coach late in the 2008 season and head coach in 2009 and 2010.