HOUSTON – Texans president and CEO Cal McNair acknowledged he hasn’t heard from Deshaun Watson since he hired Nick Caserio as general manager, but said he hopes to talk to the franchise quarterback about the move soon .
“I understand it has been reported that Deshaun feels out of the process, but he and I had several visits and I understood his point of view before meeting with the candidates,” McNair said Friday. “I have addressed Deshaun about Nick’s hire, and I hope he will meet me again when he returns from his vacation.”
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Watson offered input on possible candidates for general managers, but that the Texans did not consider or consult those endorsed by their franchised quarterback.
“Some things never change …” Watson tweeted Tuesday, with sources telling ESPN that the quarterback’s feelings were directed at the way the Texans conducted business.
Watson met with McNair about Zoom during the season to discuss the candidates and the future of the franchise, and at his end-of-season press conference, Watson said he told McNair he hoped the team would keep up. offensive coordinator Tim Kelly to staff.
McNair, who held a press conference for the first time since taking office from his father in 2018, spoke as he introduced Caserio. When Caserio was asked about the rumors he wanted Watson to want to be changed after learning of his contract on social media, the general manager said Watson “is our quarterback.”
“Once we get a chance to spend some time together, we will continue our discussion,” Caserio said. “I can’t tell you how much respect and admiration I have for who he is as a player and what he means to this franchise.”
If the Texans change Watson, they should absorb a $ 22 million salary cap.
The Texans hired Caserio just over four months after firing Bill O’Brien, the team’s former coach and general manager. Despite hiring a coach who had spent the previous 20 years in New England, McNair said the Texans are not trying to duplicate the patriots ’culture.
“Regarding their organization, we don’t consider ourselves South Patriots,” McNair said. “We’re here to lead this team in the way of the jeans.”