Newchapter starting as Caserio takes over
McNair complimentary of general manager, hopes to connect with disgruntled Watson
Cal McNair spoke with pride and glowing terms Friday afternoon during an introductory press conference for Texans general manager Nick Caserio.
The Texans chairman and chief operating officer discussed the extensive examination of the team’s culture during a 4-12 freefall after winning consecutive AFC South championships.
McNair emphasized howmuch of a game-changer he believes Caserio, a former New England Patriots director of player personnel who worked closely with Bill Belichick, can be while expressing confidence that the Texans’ penchant for losing close football games — 2-8 in one-score games — could be an indicator of a potential fast turnaround.
As McNair talked extensively about the state of the team in a much more expansive manner than he has in years, the Texans’ boss acknowledged there are other important words that need to take place soon.
McNair and disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson need to have a conversation.
Watson is extremely upset that he wasn’t consulted during the process and learned about Caserio’s hire via social media, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. Watson believed he would have input into the process based on his previous meetings and talks with McNair.
Watson, currently on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is not in a mood to hear fromthe Texans at this time and it undoubtedly will take some time before he’s willing to engage in discussions about his unhappiness, according to sources. So this fluid situation remains unresolved. McNair acknowledged he has been unable to get in touch with the franchise quarterback.
“I’ve come to understand that it’s been reported that the Deshaun feels left out of the process, but he and I had several visits, and I understood his point of view before meeting with candidates,” McNair said. “I’ve reached out to Deshaun about Nick’s hire, and I look forward to him getting back to me when he returns fromhis vacation.”
Watson has not requested a trade, and the team has no intentions of trading one of the most dynamic players in the game, according to sources. Signed to a four-year, $156million contract extension last year, Watson’s deal includes a no-trade clause, per sources informed of his deal. That can be waived by the club, but the team has no plans to go down that road.
“I think the most important thing for us is just to speak specifically to Deshaun,” Caserio said. “I’d say from afar the respect and administration that I have for him as a player and what he’s done for this organization is significant.
“He’s our quarterback. I can’t tell you howmuch respect and administration that I have for him, for who he is as a player and what he means to this franchise.”
McNair was adamant in defending the Texans’ culture, which has drawn heavy criticism during and after the season. That included Watson saying the Texans lack structure and discipline.
“Our culture has been repeatedly under question this season, so let me clear that up for all of you right now,” McNair said. “We are an organization committed to excellence both on and off the field. We operate with integrity, character, a winning mentality and a strong sense of community. In everything we do, we are an organization committed to bringing a championship to the city of Houston.”
Hiring Caserio, 45, an Ohio native known for his talent evaluation, contract negotiating, managing the salary cap and coaching, is regarded around the league as a strong move by McNair.
Several NFL general managers told the Chronicle that Caserio immediately upgrades the Texans’ chances of competing now and in the future.
“That’s a game-changer for them,” an NFL general manager said. “Nick is a home-run hire.”
That’s what McNair is hoping for after firing general manager Brian Gaine two years ago and later adding general manager duties for coach Bill O’Brien, who was fired after an 0-4 start. O’Brien traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and traded for Laremy Tunsil. He burned through draft capital and salarycap space unnecessarily. By hiring Caserio, McNair is convinced he finally got it right in this pivotal leadership position.
“Nick is widely considered to be one of the most well-respected and successful personnel executives in the NFL,” McNair said. “He has over 20 years of experience building and sustaining championship-level teams, and is committed to winning. Nick is intelligent, an incredibly hard worker and believes in doing things the right way.”
McNair defended the Texans’ hiring process, which ultimately led to a disconnect with Korn Ferry, the executive search firm paid $600,000 to compile a list of names, conduct background checks and arrange interviews.
McNair leaned heavily on executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby, a six-year Patriots employee and former character coach to land Caserio, including flying with him to Massachusetts to pick up Caserio for his job interview on McNair’s private jet.
“There is no secret about Nick and Jack’s working relationship in the past,” McNair said. “Because of their professional history, I sought out Jack’s feedback on Nick as a leader, as I did with others, during my decision process. We thank the New England Patriots, specifically Robert and Jonathan Kraft and Coach Belichick for being a first-class organization that builds winners.
“With respect to their organization, we do not consider ourselves the Patriots South. We are here to lead this team the Texans way.”
McNair defended Easterby, who operated as an interim generalmanager after O’Brien was fired. During the final months of the season, the Texans went 4-8 under interim coach Romeo Crennel.
“We moved on from the coach (O’Brien), and frankly, I needed someone to step into that spot,” McNair said. “That wasn’t something Jack pushed for or wanted. It was something I needed, and so I’m really grateful that he did that. He took a lot of heat for it, but it’s hard to operate a team without a general manager, someone in that seat, someone to do those — a lot of them are administrative-type tasks.
“As we moved from Bill as a GM to Jack as interim GM, Jack was there for a fewmonths, did the job he was asked, and now he’s ready to step back into some of his earlier roles. Nick will step in here, be the GM. Nick has got the roster, the draft, the free agency. Nick will be supported by me. I will do everything I can to help Nick succeed. Jack will do whatever Nick asks him to do to succeed.”