Bill O'Brien and the Houston Texans are working on a deal for him to become their next head coach.

O'Brien is considered the overwhelming favorite for the job.

The Texans still have a short list of other candidates in case talks with O'Brien break down.

O'Brien is currently head coach at Penn State and was previously offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots.

The NFL announced the rosters for the 2014 Pro Bowl, which is "Unconferenced" for the the first time.

Offense

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Patriots; Drew Brees, Saints; Peyton Manning, Broncos; Cam Newton, Panthers; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Russell Wilson, Seahawks.

Wide receiver: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dez Bryant, Cowboys; Josh Gordon, Browns; A.J. Green, Bengals; Andre Johnson, Texans; Calvin Johnson, Lions; Brandon Marshall, Bears; Demaryius Thomas, Broncos.

Tackle: Branden Albert, Chiefs; Jason Peters, Eagles; Tyron Smith, Cowboys; Joe Staley, 49ers; Joe Thomas, Browns; Trent Williams, Redskins.

Guard: Jahri Evans, Saints; Ben Grubbs, Saints; Mike Iupati, 49ers; Logan Mankins, Patriots; Louis Vasquez, Broncos; Marshal Yanda, Ravens.

Center: Ryan Kalil, Panthers; Alex Mack, Browns; Mike Pouncey, Dolphins; Max Unger, Seahawks.

Tight end: Jordan Cameron, Browns; Vernon Davis, 49ers; Jimmy Graham, Saints; Julius Thomas, Broncos.

Running back: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs; Matt Forte, Bears; Frank Gore, 49ers; Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Adrian Peterson, Vikings.

Fullback: Marcel Reece, Raiders; Mike Tolbert, Panthers.

Defense

Defensive end: Greg Hardy, Panthers; Cameron Jordan, Saints; Robert Quinn, Rams; Cameron Wake, Dolphins; J.J. Watt, Texans; Mario Williams, Bills.

Interior lineman: Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers; Haloti Ngata, Ravens; Dontari Poe, Chiefs; Justin Smith, 49ers; Ndamukong Suh, Lions; Kyle Williams, Bills.

Outside linebacker: John Abraham, Cardinals; Ahmad Brooks, 49ers; Tamba Hali, Chiefs; Justin Houston, Chiefs; Robert Mathis, Colts; Terrell Suggs, Ravens.

Inside/middle linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers; Vontaze Burfict, Bengals; Luke Kuechly, Panthers; Patrick Willis, 49ers.

Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, Chiefs; Brent Grimes, Dolphins; Joe Haden, Browns; Patrick Peterson, Cardinals; Darrelle Revis, Buccaneers; Richard Sherman, Seahawks; Aqib Talib, Patriots; Alterraun Verner, Titans.

Free safety: Jairus Byrd, Bills; Earl Thomas, Seahawks; Eric Weddle, Chargers.

Strong safety: Eric Berry, Chiefs; Kam Chancellor, Seahawks; Troy Polamalu, Steelers.

Special Teams

Punter: Brandon Fields, Dolphins; Johnny Hekker, Rams.

Placekicker: Matt Prater, Broncos; Justin Tucker, Ravens.

Punt returner: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dexter McCluster, Chiefs.

Special teamer: Justin Bethel, Cardinals; Matthew Slater, Patriots.

Bill O'Brien will interview with the Houston Texans for their head coaching vacancy.

O'Brien is the head coach of Penn State.

O'Brien's NFL buyout was reduced from $13 million to $6.5 million in MArch.

O'Brien is the former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

The official Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on Friday, but Pro Football Focus offered their picks on Thursday.

Offense

Quarterback: Peyton Manning (DEN) and Philip Rivers (SD)

Backups: Russell Wilson (SEA), Drew Brees (NO), Matthew Stafford (DET) and Tom Brady (NE)

Running Back: LeSean McCoy (PHI) and Jamaal Charles (KC)

Backups: Eddie Lacy (GB), DeMarco Murray (DAL), Adrian Peterson (MIN) and Marshawn Lynch (SEA)

Full Back: Anthony Sherman (KC) and Mike Tolbert (CAR)

Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown (PIT), Calvin Johnson (DET), Brandon Marshall (CHI) and Andre Johnson (HOU)

Backups: DeSean Jackson (PHI), Alshon Jeffrey (CHI), Jordy Nelson (GB) and Josh Gordon (CLE)

Tight End: Jimmy Graham (NO) and Vernon Davis (SF)

Backups: Jason Witten (DAL) and Tony Gonzalez (ATL)

Defensive End: Robert Quinn (SL), J.J. Watt (HOU), Calais Campbell (ARZ) and Cameron Jordan (NO)

Backups: Greg Hardy (CAR) and Cameron Wake (MIA)

Defensive Tackle: Gerald McCoy (TB), Ndamukong Suh (DET), Jurrell Casey (TEN) and Kyle Williams (BUF)

Backups: Dontari Poe (KC) and Marcell Dareus (BUF)

Inside Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman (SF) and Patrick Willis (SF)

Backups: Derrick Johnson (KC) and Karlos Dansby (ARZ)

Outside Linebacker: Lavonte David (TB), Justin Houston (KC), Robert Mathis (IND) and Vontaze Burfict (CIN)

Backups: Brian Orakpo (WAS) and Thomas Davis (CAR)

Cornerback: Darrelle Revis (TB), Brent Grimes (MIA), Richard Sherman (SEA) and Patrick Peterson (ARZ)

Backups: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DEN), Keenan Lewis (NO), Vontae Davis (IND) and Joe Haden (CLE)

Strong Safety: Eric Berry (KC) and T.J. Ward (CLE)

Free Safety: Devin McCourty (NE) and Earl Thomas (SEA)

Special Teams

Kicker: Nick Folk (NYJ) and Justin Tucker (BAL)

Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson (MIN) and Golden Tate (SEA)

Punter: Shane Lechler (HOU) and Johnny Hekker (SL)

Special Teamer: Justin Bethel (ARZ) and Jeremy Lane (SEA)

J.J. Watt is likely to undergo plastic surgery on his injured nose this offseason.

Watt has had multiple collisions this year that has resulted in blood coming down from the bridge of his nose.

The decision is mainly at the prodding of Watt's mother.

Watt has acknowledged that the injury is "very painful" every time he gets it, but is fine if nothing touches it.

"Once it gets time to heal up and rest, it goes back to pretty normal," he said. "We'll see what happens. If it doesn't heal itself, then I will look into getting it fixed."

Ken Whisenhunt could be the next head coach of the Detroit Lions should they fire Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz is widely expected to be fired after another disappointing season.

Whisenhunt was a teammate of general manager Martin Mayhew for two seasons with the Washington Redskins.

The Houston Texans are also interested in Whisenhunt.

Whisenhunt led the Arizona Cardinals to a Super Bowl and is currently the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers.

Lovie Smith became the first candidate to interview with the Houston Texans for their head coaching vacancy.

Smith was fired by the Chicago Bears after the 2012 season despite a 10-6 record.

Smith sat out the 2013 season but intends to return to the sidelines.

The Cleveland Browns are one of several teams that will be interested in signing Ben Tate in the offseason.

Tate has been placed on injured reserve and his tenure with the Houston Texans is almost certainly over.

Tate has consistently had one of the best yards per carry averages over the past two seasons backing up Arian Foster. Tate proved he can be a viable every down back this season following Foster's injury.

The Houston Texans are expected to interview Ken Whisenhunt for their head coaching vacancy as soon as possible.

Whisenhunt and Texans' general manager Rick Smith are familiar with each other from working together on the NFL's competition committee for a year. The two formed a bond and have stayed in touch.

Whisenhunt is offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers and led the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl in the 2008 season.

The Houston Texans are likely to target David Shaw as the prime candidate for their head coaching vacancy.

Shaw 

"There's going to be a lot of candidates," Houston Chronicle columnist John McClain said. "Shaw has an NFL background, NFL pedigree. He could leave Stanford for just about any job he wanted, but the Texans, I know, will check him out as well as Lovie Smith and some others.

"I think the fact they want someone with an NFL background is very telltale," he said. "That rules out college head coaches that have never been in the NFL."

Shaw has gone 33-6 as head coach of Stanford.

Shaw has been an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.