One of the biggest storylines of the spring was the Texans’ pursuit of Patriots exec Nick Caserio. Houston wanted Caserio to be its next GM, but the team backed off when the Patriots threatened to file tampering charges against the Texans (although Houston may have prevailed if it attempted to fight the charges). The two teams could have agreed to a trade for Caserio, but ultimately the Texans chose to go through the 2019 season without a GM.
Caserio’s contract with New England expires after the 2020 draft, so while the Texans wouldn’t have him calling the shots in a draft until 2021, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says Houston still wants Caserio, and Caserio remains intrigued by Houston’s GM post. Although some Patriots beat writers attempted to downplay Caserio’s frustration with how this year’s events unfolded, Caserio himself didn’t do much to conceal his disappointment.
As such, La Canfora says the odds of an extension between Caserio and the Patriots are beyond slim. Caserio has built a strong reputation around the league after serving as Bill Belichick‘s right-hand man in the personnel department for a long time, and he now wants to take command of his own franchise.
He has rebuffed overtures from other clubs for several years, but he has ties to Texans HC Bill O’Brien and executive VP Jack Easterby, and he apparently believes Houston is set up for long-term success. La Canfora says teams other than the Texans will take a run at Caserio again this offseason, but sources close to Caserio believe he is definitely heading to Houston.
If the guy knows he will be leaving the Patriots for another AFC team after the draft, can you expect him to care who the Patriots pick in the draft? He might not have final say for picks, but he evaluates potential picks.
Thats a great point. I can see the point of the contract ending after the draft but it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Especially since im in Houston and a Texans fan.
With the way he was treated i wouldnt be surprised if a potential “Mr Irrelevant” was his suggestion as the 1st round pick.
I’m guessing that he puts personal feelings aside and does his job to the best of his abilities. He’s a professional.
How isn’t this tampering?
Not sure if I’d want to be under the thumb of a HC who has had 2 GM’s fired already. And without 2 1st’s and a 2nd draft picks missing in the next 2 drafts.
Who knows Kraft/Belichick might entice him to stay with more $ and added decision making. Similar to what they did with McDaniels.
Burner phone texts to O’Brien during the draft. Doing a Patriots move on the Patriots.
Kraft steps in at the end gives him a bunch of cash, he stays.
…and it ends happily for all. (Tongue in cheek)