From Super Bowl 50 Champion to H-Town Coach: The Impact of James Ferentz

 

B. Keith Crear III

Mon, July 27, 2026 at 7:00 AM EDT·

When the Houston Texans brought aboard James Ferentz as their tight ends coach for the 2026 season, it wasn't just another assistant hire, it was a full-circle moment with massive operational upside for Houston's offense.

Ferentz entered the NFL as an undrafted interior lineman with Houston back in 2014, spent time on the practice squad, and then went on a decade-long journey that included two Super Bowl rings—one with the Denver Broncos' iconic Super Bowl 50 squad and another with the New England Patriots.

Now returning to H-Town after spending time on the New York Giants' coaching staff, Ferentz brings a unique blend of trench leverage, Championship pedigree, and offensive line discipline to a tight end room primed to take another step forward.

Earlier this year, coach DeMeco Ryans spoke highly on the reasoning as to why Ferentz was brought on as TE coach. With the 2026 training camp days away, the tight-end room will definitely have laser focused eyes set by fans. Here is how his arrival gives the Texans a distinct strategic edge for the 2026 campaign.

The "Iowa Advantage" and Trench Mechanics

It's impossible to talk about James Ferentz without acknowledging his roots. As the son of legendary Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz, football IQ and physical point-of-attack football are effectively built into his DNA. Iowa has earned a reputation as the premier tight end factory in college football, producing elite balanced talents who can dominate as in-line blockers just as well as they run routes.

While Ferentz played center during his playing days, that interior perspective is precisely what makes his transition to tight end coach so compelling. Modern tight ends are often treated as oversized wide receivers, but the elite offenses in today's NFL rely on tight ends who can seal the edge, handle defensive ends, and execute combo blocks on zone runs. Ferentz, who spent eight NFL seasons surviving as an undersized interior lineman relying entirely on footwork, leverage, and hand placement, understands the mechanics of line play better than traditional skill-position coaches. For starter Dalton Schultz and the rest of the unit, learning blocking nuances from a two-time champion lineman will turn the TE room into a real asset in Bobby Slowik and Nick Caley's run schemes.

Seamless Scheme Translation and Chemistry

Coaching changes can sometimes slow a unit down as players adjust to new terminology, but Ferentz's background makes his integration virtually seamless. Having spent six seasons in New England, Ferentz shares deep scheme familiarity with Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley and run-game coordinator Cole Popovich.

Because Ferentz and Popovich view line leverage and run designs through the exact same lens, the communication between the offensive line and the tight ends will be tighter than ever. That synergy is vital for protecting C.J. Stroud on bootlegs, play-action rollouts, and max-protection packages, where tight ends are frequently asked to chip pass-rushers or handle edge defenders solo.

Championship Standards in the Meeting Room

Winning Super Bowl 50 alongside Peyton Manning in Denver and Super Bowl LIII with Tom Brady in New England means Ferentz knows exactly what elite preparation looks like. He has operated inside two of the most meticulous, high-expectation locker rooms of the past decade. Bringing that level of detail, accountability, and ring-winning standard into DeMeco Ryans' building only strengthens the overall culture.

Ultimately, adding Ferentz isn't just about tweaking route trees, it's about making the tight end room tougher, more technically sound, and completely aligned with the offense's physical identity. If his technique-first approach takes hold early in camp, expect Houston's ground game and play-action passing attack to look much cleaner in 2026.

Chicago Bears rookie outlook: Will Logan Jones become the long-term solution at center?

 

Chicago Bears rookie outlook: Will Logan Jones become the long-term solution at center?

 (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

 

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune

Wed, July 22, 2026 at 7:00 AM EDT

The Chicago Bears believe they found their center of the future.

They selected Logan Jones out of Iowa with a second-round draft pick in April. Jones probably won't start right away, but he's expected to take over the job eventually.

The franchise has been trying to find a long-term answer at center for years. General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson believe Jones will be that answer.

Here's what to know about the rookie center before training camp begins.

How did he get here?

The Bears drafted Jones with the 57th pick. There had been much speculation that a center might be on the team's wish list. Veteran Drew Dalman's surprise retirement in March meant the Bears needed to pivot at the position.

They didn't wait long. Jones was the first center selected in this year's draft. While it isn't necessarily considered a premium position in the draft, that showed how high of a priority it was for Poles and Johnson.

Where did he come from?

Jones grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, Neb. At Lewis Central High School, he played on the offensive and defensive lines. Jones was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and the top-rated recruit from Iowa in 2020. He chose the Hawkeyes over Iowa State, Nebraska and Minnesota.

Jones began his college career as a defensive tackle and redshirted his freshman year in 2020. When Tyler Linderbaum left for the NFL after the 2021 season, the Hawkeyes needed a new center. Coach Kirk Ferentz converted Jones to center, a position he played some in high school.

"Even during those growing (pains) we had the first year, you knew where it was going to end up one day," Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett said. "You just didn't know which day, but you knew it would be worth it just because of the type of person he is and how he carries himself on a daily basis."

Jones started 51 games over four years as the Hawkeyes center, culminating in an All-America season and the Rimington Trophy as college football's best center in 2025.

Why did the Bears draft him?

The Bears signed Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract in March 2025. He was supposed to be the solution to a center problem that had been nagging the Bears since Olin Kreutz last played for them in 2010.

Even in the four years since Poles took over in 2022, the Bears cycled through a new starting center every year: Sam Mustipher in 2022, Lucas Patrick in 2023, Coleman Shelton in 2024 and Dalman last season.

But Dalman, 27, retired after a Pro Bowl season in 2025. That meant the Bears once again were looking for a center. They traded for veteran Garrett Bradbury, who has one year remaining on his contract, but Poles wanted a long-term solution as well.

Enter Jones.

"Obviously that's been a tough position for us since I've been here, really," Poles said after drafting Jones. "So we had an opportunity to bring Logan in, and (he's a) high-character guy, really smart, fits our scheme."

The Bears hadn't drafted a center since 2018, when they selected James Daniels — also out of Iowa and also with a second-round pick. Daniels wound up playing guard for much of his Bears tenure.

The hope is Jones can develop into a long-term solution who will play in orange and blue for years to come. The Bears are OK with Jones sitting behind Bradbury this season. This draft pick is about the long game.

What his coaches said

The Bears were enamored with Jones after he visited Halas Hall before the draft.

"Football is a priority (for him)," offensive line coach Dan Roushar said. "You can feel that in everything he's done, and that checks all the boxes with our conversations with Kirk (Ferentz), his position coach George (Barnett). He's been fantastic."

Iowa runs a pro-style offense. In Jones, Barnett saw a center who was calm under pressure and could handle protection changes and communicate that with his fellow linemen.

"His ability to communicate and see defenses is really good," Barnett said. "You could probably attribute that some to the fact that he played on that side of the ball. He had a little head start of seeing what defenses are trying to do and certain line calls. Being able to adjust calls in the middle of a look.

"This kid sees the big picture really well, and it's this ability to get everybody on the same page and it goes back to leadership."

Barnett was struck by how Jones was fueled by the success he found after moving to center. Once he had established himself as one of the nation's best centers, Barnett said Jones worked even harder.

"That's kind of the Iowa way," Barnett said. "You don't pat yourself on the back. You just keep working."

What he said

Jones is hard at work learning Johnson's offense. Because the center takes on protection adjustments at the line of scrimmage, the position can be a difficult one to learn for rookies.

"There's a lot that I've got to work on, to get better at," Jones said. "In our offense, they put a lot on the center's plate, which is honestly kind of fun. I like that, to be able to learn, grow and go through all that and just continue to learn the game. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I know I've got a long road ahead of me."

Jones said he studied Johnson's wide-zone running scheme closely when he was at Iowa. The Hawkeyes used similar concepts.

"I think it's the best scheme out there, honestly," Jones said. "Just being able to run the football, be aggressive, fast, physical, it makes it really hard on defenses."

What he needs to prove during training camp

Notably, Johnson said the "ball is in his court" in terms of when Jones will emerge as the starting center. The Bears seem more comfortable with a veteran manning that spot for now as Jones learns the offense.

Roushar sees an opportunity for Jones to learn from Bradbury.

"Garrett's veteranship — there's a lot of experience," Roushar said. "And in that experience he will share things with Logan that maybe accelerate the learning curve."

The Bears will cross-train Jones, as they do with all of their linemen, so that he could play guard if needed. But it might be a little while before fans see Jones starting at center.

At Iowa, Jones was very much a team-first guy. Barnett noted that the approach never changed, even after Jones emerged as one of the nation's best centers.

"When Logan came back his last year, there was never a conversation about NIL or what are you guys going to do for me," Barnett said. "Not one. That's just who he is."

The Bears foresee Jones taking the same approach to his rookie season behind Bradbury.

New Texans TEs coach James Ferentz encouraged about coaching 'a good room'

 

By Aaron Wilson

Jul 16, 2026

When the Texans hired former NFL offensive lineman James Ferentz as their new tight ends coach, they knew they were tapping into his extensive background and expertise in blocking.

Having Ferentz, a 36-year-old former New York Giants assistant offensive line coach who played center for the Texans, New England and Denver Broncos, gives the staff someone well-versed in the Patriots-style system run by offensive coordinator Nick Caley.

Although Ferentz hasn’t coached tight ends before, the replacement for Jake Moreland has been a quick study as he takes over a position headlined by veteran Dalton Schultz. And Ferentz played at Iowa for his father, Kirk Ferentz, and was a second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection. He previously played for Texans offensive line coach and run game coordinator Cole Popovich in New England.

“I’ve never really been involved in the passing game, I’m learning something new every day,” said Ferentz, who earned two Super Bowl rings, including playing with Peyton Manning with the Broncos, in 61 career games with 10 starts in eight NFL seasons before retiring after the 2023 season. “The guy I report directly for, Nick Caley, coached the position at a really high level for over a decade. Those gaps and holes, you’ve got to be willing to put your hand up and say if you don’t know, you don’t know. The run blocking stuff, me and Cole see the game in a very similar lens, which makes it very easy and seamless.

“I spent some time as an undersized offensive lineman. There might be some similarities with that with tight end play, having to rely more on technique than ever being able to muscle a defender. Ultimately, I’ve inherited a really good room.”

Ferentz played for New England for six seasons. He overlapped with Caley, senior offensive assistant Jerry Schlupinski and offensive line coach-run game coordinator Cole Popovich and general manager Nick Caserio. Now, he’s working with them and coach DeMeco Ryans.

“Obviously, I’ve got connections with a handful of guys on staff, but getting to know coach Ryans was an incredible opportunity,” Ferentz said. “To get here, learn from some people I have familiarity with, and then obviously getting to know coach Ryans, it’s just been a really phenomenal experience.

“The way I view it, I’ve got a room with a lot of really good players in it. It’s been a really beneficial period here. I think we’ve accomplished what we’ve wanted. When we get back in the fall, we’ll try to build on that and to keep putting these guys in the best position to succeed. Ultimately, that’s our job as coaches.”

Veteran starting tight end Dalton Schultz was sidelined for the Texans’ AFC divisional round playoff loss to New England due to a strained calf. Tight end Cade Stover missed a large chunk of the season after breaking his foot against the Rams in the opening game. And Brevin Jordan tore his patellar tendon during a training camp practice. The Texans had to deploy offensive tackle Blake Fisher as their primary blocking tight end.

Stover, who had off-season hernia surgery, and Jordan have overcome past injuries. Jordan previously tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee two seasons ago.

“Brevin is bringing it, good energy, ultimate team guy,” Ferentz said. “you get Brevin on the field, his play speaks for itself here now. He’s a special football player and he’s done everything the right way.

“Getting onto the field with his rehab, which is a very difficult process, you’re talking almost two years and he’s played like maybe two or three weeks of football. Mentally, can’t say enough about the kid for being able to work through it. It’s been really a lot of fun working with him.”

Photo: Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images

While Schultz caught a career-high 82 passes, Caley had bigger plans at tight end. Now, he’s planning an increased role for the tight ends. That means more double tight end, triple tight end and perhaps even split back formations for running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks.

“I am a little bit biased there because of my background with tight ends, but you remember it is important,” Caley said. “I think you always want to be multiple. To nobody’s fault, last year we got thinned out pretty early with Brev prior to us ever getting to the season. Cade goes down in the fourth quarter of the Rams game for call it two-thirds of the season, and we’re in the jumbo world a lot.

“We want to be multiple. We want to have balance, 11, 12s, 13s, 20, etcetera, and I think that’s always good to be able to do those things. So, that’s important. We’ve got a really good group of receivers. We’ve got a really good group of backs. We’ve got a really good group at tight end now, too, and we’re healthy. So, it’s been a lot of fun just trying to mix those groupings here and evolve that.”

The Texans utilized 12 personnel on 24.26 percent of their offensive snaps last season. They were in 11 personnel -- one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers - 58.11 percent of the time. And they were in 21 personnel -- heavy formations -- 17.63 percent of the time.

“Everyone’s got a role,” Ferentz said. “Everyone needs to embrace their role and the vision of the football team and what we have to do to help the team win games. That’s how I view it.”

A big second-round draft pick from the University of Michigan, Klein strained his hamstring during organized team activities and was sidelined for the Texans’ minicamp. He is expected to make a full recovery for training camp.

“Good athlete, he’s a big dude, he moves well,” Schultz said. “I think in this offense, specifically, you are asked to do everything. Knowing where to be and where to line up and how to execute is like a big hurdle. It’s a big learning curve.

“I think as a young guy, being able to soak that up and to get that information and use it well and able to go out and actually line up and execute at full speed, it’s hard to do. So far, I think he’s done a good job of that. Training camp kind of is the true test of putting the pads on and figuring out like when the bullets are flying. We’ll see. I’m excited for him.”

Klein is a native of Germany who played behind several top tight ends at Michigan after enrolling, including Chicago Bears standout tight end Colston Loveland.

“That’s a testament to his character of committing to a body of work and a process,” Ferentz said. “Through that interview process, I really fell in love with the guy. Then you throw in the film, and you can see it.

“There’s just somebody who hasn’t gotten a lot of reps. That’s not his fault. He was just in some deep position groups. We’re excited to get him here. He’s been working hard.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter.

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