Rick Smith is taking an extended leave of absence from the Houston Texans to take care of his wife, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Smith has been tending to his wife throughout this season while she has undergone treatment in Arizona.

"I am eternally grateful to the McNair family for their unwavering support during this trying time," Smith said in a statement Sunday. "This was an extremely difficult decision for me to make as I love this organization and every member of this team both on and off the field. I remain committed to our quest to bring a championship to the city of Houston, yet my family needs me now and they are my priority."

The Indianapolis Colts have fired Chuck Pagano.

Pagano was hired by the Colts in 2012.

The Colts went 4-12 during the 2017 season.

The Oakland Raiders will likely move on from Michael Crabtree in the offseason.

Sources say Crabtree's production is not worth the issues they've had with him off the field.

Crabtree is owed a $7 million salary in 2018, the third season of a four-year, $34 million extension he signed late in 2015. No dead money against the salary cap will accompany his anticipated release, given that extension included no signing bonus or guarantees in the deal’s second half. 

Crabtree entered Week 17 with 56 receptions for 601 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jim Schwartz is considered the favorite to become the next head coach of the New York Giants.

The Giants fired Ben McAdoo after Week 13.

Schwartz is expected to interview next week while the Philadelphia Eagles are on a bye.

John Mara said the team wants to hire an experienced coach, and Schwartz would qualify. Schwartz was head coach of the Detroit Lions for five seasons.

In two seasons in Philadelphia, Schwartz has made significant strides with the Eagles' defense. 

The Chicago Bears are expected to fire John Fox as head coach.

Fox was hired by the Bears in January of 2015 and the team has finished last in the NFC North in each of his three seasons.

Chicago has missed the playoffs in 10 of the past 11 seasons.

The Houston Texans will likely retain Bill O'Brien as head coach in 2018.

While O'Brien is expected to return, there are issues to be discussed and details on his contract.

O'Brien has one season remaining on a five-year deal he signed when he became the Texans' coach in 2014. Houston would likely require O'Brien to sign an extension.

Earlier this month, O'Brien said that he "will never quit as head football coach of the Houston Texans. Ever."

Deshaun Watson has voiced his support for O'Brien.

The Oakland Raiders are preparing to pursue ESPN analyst Jon Gruden with an offer so strong it could even include an ownership stake in the team, according to league sources.

Gruden will be tempted to accept it, according to sources, but would prefer not to make any decisions until the regular season finishes Sunday and the Raiders make a final determination on their current head coach, Jack Del Rio, who signed a contract extension last summer.

Gruden never wanted to leave the Raiders in 2001 and feels strongly about Derek Carr.

Mark Davis has offered Gruden an ownership stake in the past. An ownership source said owners might not be so quick to approve the deal, because they wouldn't want to establish a precedent. 

Jack Del Rio's agent, Bob LaMonte, also represents Gruden, leading to what one source described as "a lot of sensitive situations."

Washington plans on retaining Jay Gruden as head coach in 2018.

With a number of injuries throughout the roster, Washington struggled to repeat their success of 2016.

Gruden had been linked to the Bengals.

The Green Bay Packers have agreed upon a four-year, $58 million contract extension with Davante Adams.

Adams will receive $32 million in the first two seasons.

Adams was scheduled to become a free agent.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will retain Dirk Koetter as head coach.

Koetter is 13-18 in his two seasons as head coach.

There had been reports that the Buccaneers would bring Jon Gruden back to the job this offseason.

Koetter was the Bucs offensive coordinator when Jameis Winston came to the NFL.