Culture shift leads to total reset
Watt’s exit, Watson’s exile foretell struggles to come in aftermath of change in management
“We just need a whole culture shift. We just need new energy. We just need discipline. We need structure. We need a leader so we can follow that leader as players. That’s what we need.” — Deshaun Watson, Jan. 4, 2021
Four days into the new year, Deshaun Watson was still the Texans’ franchise quarterback. Images were still fresh of Watson and J.J. Watt walking together toward the NRG Stadium tunnel after a tumultuous 2020 season ended with a loss to the Titans. They exited the field with no playoff run, no head coach, no general manager.
“We wasted one of your years,” a mic’d up Watt told Watson. “I’m sorry.”
The Texans needed “a whole culture shift” with their new head coaching hire, Watson told reporters. That word — culture — would become the buzzword for the entire year. Such lingo was just part of the package when, on Jan. 7, CEO Cal McNair finally landed Nick Caserio, the Patriots executive he’d long pursued to be the Texans’ general manager. Culture was again the focus when, three weeks later, the Texans hired first-time head coach David Culley, a 65-year-old who in 22 seasons as an NFL assistant coach had never been a full-fledged coordinator.
Caserio and Culley’s culture shift began without Watson and Watt. Disgruntled by the direction of the franchise, Watson demanded a trade. His four-year, $156 million contract extension — only months old at the time — contained a no-trade clause that gave him veto power over potential destinations. Watt sat down with the McNair family in February and was granted a release. Placations and negotiations soon became the franchise’s least prominent issue of the offseason.
By April 15, 22 women had attached their names to lawsuits accusing Watson of sexual assault and harassment during various massage appointments. Eight filed police complaints. Two more women, separate from the lawsuits, also filed police complaints.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing. His attorney, Rusty Hardin, and Tony Buzbee, who represents the women who’ve filed lawsuits, traded jabs in dueling press conferences. The allegations have been investigated by the NFL, the Houston Police Department and the FBI.
No resolution has yet occurred. Watson remains on the Texans’ active roster but does not practice or play. Houston’s negotiations with Miami at the trade deadline fell through. The saga’s conclusion remains just as uncertain as it did when the lawsuits were first filed.
Meanwhile, a rebuilding Texans franchise at times lived down to the lowest of expectations. An overhauled roster with more than 30 new players — made up mostly of inexpensive veterans and fringe players on one-year contracts — won its season-opener against the Jaguars, then lost eight straight games by an average of 18 points. Houston’s only wins came against the Jaguars and Titans.
Journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor returned from the injured reserve, then was benched for rookie Davis Mills. A historically inefficient offense worsened in the wake of trades, cuts and injuries.
Three defensive starters — linebacker Zach Cunningham, cornerback Desmond King, safety Justin Reid — were benched for disciplinary reasons, and the Texans cut Cunningham after multiple instances.
Caserio said in training camp that 2021 would be more “process-oriented” than “results-oriented.”
The process for Houston’s culture shift continues.