Report: QB Watson wants nothing to do with Texans
Quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly wants no part of the Texans organization. ESPN reported Saturday that a source close to Watson said the only thing that could save the relationship is if owner Cal McNair could fire himself.
Watson’s unhappiness began last offseason when the Texans traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals and was exacerbated when the team reportedly didn’t give him a say in its search for a general manager.
On Friday, McNair said that he wanted Watson to be part of the hiring process for a head coach and that they have been texting. Watson signed a four-year, $160 million in September.
† The Texans reportedly will interview Bills defensive coordinator and former Vikings coach Leslie Frazier on Sunday. Frazier also was a member of the Super Bowl XX champion Bears, leading the team with six interceptions.
Combine will have new look for safety
The NFL Scouting Combine will look a lot different this year, and it probably won’t be centralized in Indianapolis, according to a report by The MMQB of Sports Illustrated.
Discussions are said to have been held with league officials, medical professionals and team personnel about how to hold the combine while adhering to safety measures.
Among the ideas being discussed: regionalized medical checks, with teams allowed to send one or two people (either doctors or trainers) to attend; standardized pro days to replace lost workouts; and player interviews over Zoom.
Bieniemy, McDaniels on Eagles’ list
The Eagles requested permission to interview Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and will interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels this weekend, according to NFL Network.
With the Chiefs in the postseason, the Eagles would have to wait until their playoff run is over before interviewing Bieniemy.
The Eagles also requested interviews with Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and have a planned interview with Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. They have completed an interview with Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Report: Pederson unlikely to coach in ’21
Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson is unlikely to coach in the NFL in any capacity next season, according to CBS Sports. Pederson was fired a week after the season, when most teams were deep into their head-coaching searches, and finding the right fit on a staff as an offensive coordinator might be difficult at this point — though he reportedly met with the Seahawks about their vacancy. It’s likely that Pederson will take the year off, like Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy did, and see how the next coaching cycle shakes out.