TEXANS IN LONE-STAR STATE
With QB Watson unhappy, it’s up to new GM Caserio to make things right
It’s hard to believe that this time last year, the Texans had just concluded only the fourth double-digit win season in franchise history. Based on the overall growth exhibited by the team during the regular season and postseason, the future seemed bright despite a 51-31 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs.
But perhaps we should have taken a closer look at the tea leaves from that defeat.
Through a long list of poor decisions, both by management and ownership, the Texans have gone from contender to utter chaos in one calendar year.
Texans brass watched as thencoach/general manager Bill O’Brien shipped off another franchise cornerstone (wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins) for mediocre compensation, and then awarded quarterback Deshaun Watson one of the richest contracts in NFL history. Then Houston fired O’Brien after an 0-4 start.
As the Texans went 4-8 the rest of the season, internal conflict swelled as owner Cal McNair leaned heavily on controversial executive Jack Easterby, the former Patriots “character coach” who came to Houston in a similar capacity and steadily gained power.
Now, the Texans find themselves in a position where Watson, the only good thing they really had going for them, is so angered by the organization’s dysfunction and handling of the GM and coaching search that he reportedly wants out.
Faced with the possibility that Watson could seek to force his way out of Houston just four months after signing his four-year, $156 million contract, the Texans’ hopes for a rapid turnaround now dangle by a thread.
New general manager Nick Caserio, hired away from the Patriots two weeks ago, has inherited an unenviable soap opera. But he may hold the keys to salvation.
Caserio’s hiring, according to some reports, frustrated Watson because McNair had given Watson the impression he would welcome the quarterback’s input when selecting the next GM and coach, but then did not consult Watson. Watson also was angered the Texans hadn’t interviewed his top choice for head coach: Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whom Patrick Mahomes strongly recommended to Watson.
Caserio can’t help what happened before he got to Houston. He can’t help the fact that his new bosses are woefully inept and have ruined the trust of the Texans’ most prized player, an iconic athlete nearly every franchise would covet.
But the new GM’s best chance to save the franchise is to do everything in his power to win over Watson.
Caserio no doubt understands that because of Watson’s elite-level talent and massive contract, which includes a no-trade clause that only Watson can waive, the quarterback possesses great leverage.
The first step should involve a face-to-face meeting. No matter where Watson is spending his offseason, Caserio should go there, listen and attempt to learn. Then he must communicate to Watson that the quarterback is the focal point of his plans. Caserio must also explain how he intends to position Watson to win Super Bowls in the prime of his career.
Caserio and the Texans on Monday were scheduled to hold a virtual interview with Bieniemy.
The optics are less than ideal because the Texans didn’t request the meeting with Andy Reid’s top assistant until news leaked of Watson’s frustration. But at that point, Caserio wasn’t on board and wasn’t leading the coaching search as he is now.
Caserio should explain how he aims to fortify the roster around Watson despite no first- or secondround draft pick, and while the team is currently more than $10 million over the salary cap.
Fortunately for Caserio, time is on his side. The new league year doesn’t start until March, so he can use the days and weeks between now and then to cultivate his relationship with Watson and put action behind his words. If Caserio can keep Watson in a Texans uniform, he’ll claim his first big victory as general manager.
However, if his efforts fail and Watson has indeed made up his mind that the damage is irreparable, Caserio must settle for the next-best thing: pursuing a trade that yields the Texans the greatest haul of draft picks and players to expedite the rebuild. That would require the franchise taking yet another step backward, but if executed correctly, the new resources could help springboard Houston toward brighter days.