Despite Deshaun Watson‘s standout season, the Texans went 4-12. They do not have a first- or second-round draft pick this year and have a roster in need at many areas after Bill O’Brien‘s criticized GM tenure.
Watson was told he would have a say in the Texans’ GM and head coach searches. But owner Cal McNair did not discuss the Nick Caserio hire with the quarterback, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who adds Watson is “extremely unhappy” with the Texans (Twitter link).
The Pro Bowl passer offered input on GM candidates, but the Texans did not consider any of his recommendations, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports. Watson is not upset about the Caserio hire but is disappointed in the team’s process, Rapoport tweets. It is not exactly unusual for an organization to hire a GM without consulting its quarterback, but Schefter notes Watson and McNair met on several occasions about this hire. Now, Caserio appears to have a key assignment on his hands as he starts his $6MM-per-year job.
Back in October, we heard he was to be consulted about the team’s head coach search. Three months later, the Texans have been unable to reach Watson, Rapoport tweets, and may well be moving forward without Eric Bieniemy — for whom Watson previously advocated. The now-Caserio-run Texans did not request an interview with the Chiefs OC.
“Man, it just starts with the energy and just the foundation of this program. There’s no real foundation in view. Everyone sees it. Everyone knows that. Got to have a guy that can come in and stand strong, stand 10 toes down and, (say), ‘Hey, this is the way it’s going to go, and this is the way we’re going to win,'” Watson said earlier this week, via NFL.com’s James Palmer (on Twitter).
“That’s what we need. It’s kind of just up in the air right now. That’s what I’m looking forward to, some disciplined responsibility and some good, fun energy that cares about winning championships and winning games but at the same time is coming in to work each and every day regardless.”
Some of this strife dates back to last year, when Watson expressed disappointment the Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins without discussing the move with him. The organization making another big move without Watson’s input is believed to be a much bigger issue with him, Schefter adds. Watson has “quietly broached” the prospect of a trade request, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. Watson’s contract contains a no-trade clause, which would empower the quarterback to approve his destination — should this saga reach that stage.
Shortly after Patrick Mahomes‘ 10-year extension, Watson signed a more traditionally structured deal — a four-year, $156MM pact. He is signed through the 2025 season. It would certainly be shocking to see the Texans agree to trade their centerpiece player; such a move would certainly be financially prohibitive. The Texans guaranteed Watson nearly $75MM at signing. Watson agreed to the extension after the Hopkins trade and threw for a league-high 4,823 yards at an NFL-best 8.9 per attempt without the All-Pro wideout. The former Clemson national champion passer added a career-most 33 touchdown passes despite the core members of his post-Hopkins receiving corps being frequently unavailable.
Wasn’t unhappy when he signed on that dotted line
Ha! Thought the same thing as I was reading the article..hooray for him I guess
He was in a different situation then tho
I genuinely don’t want the Texans to succeed. I’m from Houston. I’ve watched them waste Hall of Fame caliber careers and don’t seem to see what they’re ever doing wrong. Joke of a franchise.
Careers as in plural? Who else besides Hopkins?
Andre Johnson. JJ Watt.
I guess we’ll see on Andre Johnson…if Reggie Wayne gets in then Johnson will. Not a Watt fan myself but I know there are some fans out there.
Both are sure-fire HoF’s.
Based on whose been getting in the last few years I wouldn’t be surprised
In what universe is Watt not a lock?
Funny you ask…I went and googled it after…some said he is probably in now…some said he has a little more work to do…so apparently in this universe he is not a lock
Johnson posted upwards of 10,000 yards and 1,000 receptions for his career. He averaged over 1,000 yards/season despite having to play with David Carr for the first four years of his career. This is also including a pair of stints with the Colts and Titans in which he was clearly past his prime. He was the only relevant part of the Houston franchise until they landed Schaub/Foster and was beloved by the city. Not even a Texans fan, but if he doesn’t make the HOF, who really should?
Ask Jeeves says he is a lock for the HOF.
I’ll have to go back to 1999 and Ask Jeeves
Doesn’t really matter if you like Watt, he’s unquestionably HOF material
What’s not to like about Watt? Don’t blame Watson either. You pay a kings ransom for Tunsil then trade away one of the best WR’s in the NFL while taking on a bad contract in an obviously regressing RB in Johnson. BOB is to blame and anyone in that FO who didn’t step in and stop it
Well the Texans have played their share of 430pm wildcard Saturday games over the last 10+ years. It was always the least desirable slot ratings wise, but they were in the playoffs a lot.
That starts with the owner. Not a single owner in Houston of a major sports franchise is worth spit. People will say the Astros, but I will point them at the nearest trash can.
Ah, trash can, ah I see what you did there
No team, in any sport, should be involving their players in hiring coaches or GM’s.
While that may or may not be true. If the Texans promised Watson that and then didn’t hold up their side, then he’ll yeah, I’d be unhappy too.
Agree with petersdylan36. Obviously Watson should not be completely dictating terms, but I think finding a coach that institutes a scheme he’s comfortable with should be a priority. He’s your franchise cornerstone to build around. Let him at least have a say in the direction of the franchise, especially since Houston has not shown signs of front office competency lately
Based on what was PROMISED to Watson, the new GM should be reaching out to him (In PERSON) to have a discussion.
There any proof that was promised to him? Seems like there’s not much to support that claim
You’re right, they shouldn’t, but the Texans did say that they’d involve him. They shouldn’t have had those “multiple” meetings and then not even interview Watson’s top choice. I mean, they could decide ultimately to not hire Bienemy, but they should at least make an honest effort at checking him out so it at least looks like they value Watson’s opinion after asking him to give it.
Watson is basically a “no one” meme for this. No one, and I mean not one person age 1/365 to 100+yrs old besides Watson is shocked.
Yeah, I’m not shocked at all he is complaining
It doesn’t matter who coaches the team on 3rd and 4. Your job is to get a first down and stop kicking field goals you loser.
Yes, it’s definitely Watson’s fault the Texans were terrible. It had nothing to do with the defense that allowed the 3rd most yards and surrendered the 6th most points. The dude had a QBR of 112, posted a 33/7 TD/INT ratio, and led the league in yards/attempt. This was in spite of a mid-season coaching change and the fact that his elite top receiver got discarded for peanuts.
Watson is criminally underrated because he’s stuck with this rudderless franchise. I don’t see how it’s unreasonable for him to voice his displeasure when the organization promised to listen to his input, only to backstab him at the last second. Clearly, Watson wants to win and I don’t see why fans are so quick to side with ownership on this one
He threw for 4,800 yards and 33 TD’s with an inept coaching staff, zero playmakers, and an offensive line that consisted of one half dead guy and one fully dead guy. Please refrain from voicing your opinion henceforth if it’s going to be that stupid.
I’ll play devil’s advocate…would you consider Fuller a playmaker?
To say he has no playmakers would be a little extreme, but his statement otherwise stands. BOB was awful, his offensive line was bottom-ten (per PFF rankings), and the defense provided no help
BOB was a good coach, bad GM
Minnesota Vikings will be on line 1 for a potential Watson trade.
Dude I’m so pushing for it! Cousins and a 2nd rounder. Or I’d even be ok parting with our first rounder. He would be worth it
Why would Houston ever want Cousins and what he’s owed over Watson? And it would cost multiple draft picks with at least one #1, probably 2.
Watson would cost multiple 1st rounders. If you’re making them also take Cousins, throw in another 1st or multiple 2nds and 3rds.
A player unhappy with the Texans and water is still wet lol. Still gonna be a Texan next year.
Think they give Dabo a call? I’m assuming Watson would be happy with Dabo as his next head coach.
Let’s list the team that wouldn’t want to trade for Watson:
Chiefs
Bills
Ravens
Packers
Seahawks
Most likely wouldn’t:
Chargers
Bengals
Jaguars
I believe these teams either have better QBs or are happier with the long term possibilities (Chargers, bengals, Jaguars, maybe add the cardinals too)
Every other team would and should look into Watson if he is truly available. If your team doesn’t, what is your team really looking for?
Raiders should.
Can Watson rush the passer, too?
The Raiders don’t need a QB. Carr is perfectly capable. They need defense and for Gruden to come to grips with the fact that he’s not Vince Lombardi.
Unfortunately, its not MLB without a salary cap. A few teams (eagles, saints, steelers off the top of my head) are already significantly over next year’s cap.
Others don’t have trade capital (players, draft picks, or CONTRACTS that can be moved without creating even more cap issues) to make a worthwhile offer.
I don’t often reference B/R for any reason, but they did have an article today explaining a lot of this, plus a handful of potential trade partners/packages that could work, at least on paper.
Watson is the type of talent you move Heaven and Earth to get. the cap is negotiable with someone who knows how to deal with it. for example, why is Philly so far over next year? they know they can negotiate it.
All the money they are over for next year, is scheduled to be paid to guys who are on the roster this year. And they stunk.
And for example, to get rid of Wentz, it will cost them (IIRC) about a $23 million dead cap hit.
I suspect there are 1 or 2 guys that are about to become free agents that they’d like to keep, and probably can’t. And several more under contract that they’ll have to let go.
I don’t believe they can manipulate or negotiate enough to A) get under the cap, and B) be competitive.
Same with New Orleans, who i believe is $80 million or more over. Good luck fixing that and fielding a winning team.
This all comes down to Jack Easterby. This franchise really can’t move forward until he’s gone. Cal McNair is apparently too dense to realize this.
Ehhh, while Easterby likely oversteps his boundaries, the picture of him as an all controlling malevolent underlord is probably overstated. I highly doubt that Easterby alone is the one responsible for the Texans’ ineptitude…especially considering the fact that it began before he got there.
Trade him to the Jets
My same thoughts! Texans have no draft picks. Jets have a lot
2nd pick plus some picks next year…would be pretty compelling
The problem in Houston is they don’t have picks. So if the new team trades a ton of their picks for Watson, does he really improve his chances of winning?
Supposedly he has a no trade clause. I doubt he waives it to go to a worse team, who would end up in the current spot Houston is in regarding draft picks, in order to acquire him.
how could others not mention jets? they have a need cap space and draft pick capital and a young qb if they wanted
Don’t count out the 49ers if Watson will be traded….
Kudos ……
crosseyedlemon • 20 hours ago
Perhaps this is a subtle reminder to Watson that they don’t need the inmates running the asylum.
Oh, because clearly without 1st or 2nd round picks and no talent outside of Watson hardly to speak of management is doing so well?
The narrative that franchise players shouldn’t have some input is ridiculous. I get not consulting your nickel CB, but when one guy is almost literally all you have, at least listen.
Welcome to the Broncos. I’m calling it now.
Damn now not only do you have to make sure your top player is okay with the coaching hire, you have to run the GM by him? What’s next?
WFT better make the call
Paging Jerry Jones
I’d rather have Watson than Prescott. Would be a nice upgrade and on a better contract too. However, it will cost the Cowboys more than just money.
Tua + the Fins 1st(18th overall) for Watson should get it done.
That’s phone in Houston is ringing off the hook right now. Minimum 12-15 should be calling.
Cowboys should trade Dak and their 2nd round pick for Watson.
That would also be interesting. Only makes sense for Dallas of course if they don’t think that they can sign Dak to a long term deal (and if McCarthy is willing to do it-not fair, but he’s their guy now).
It’s the Texans. The 2nd round pick will do. No need to include Dak.
You’re an employee who gets paid. Just do your job.
and he did that and it manifested in nothing. the guy can walk on water and the team still sucks. does he “deserve” better? I dont know, but I know their fans do and you can help both by not making terrible moves that everyone knows will backfire.
Watson is your typical self centered prima donna. He felt slighted because the Bears didn’t contact him before they drafted Trubisky. Now he’s sulking because his vast experience as a front office consultant isn’t being appreciated. The Packers wisely resisted Aaron Rodgers attempts to influence front office decisions so Watson should have known he would get nowhere trying the same thing with the Texans organization.
Wish i could handpick my coworkers and bosses
and those who could respond to your comments…lol.
You can’t quit your job where you live then?
Watson got drafted to Houston. He didn’t beg to go there coming out of college. When your a franchise QB, that’s not easy to escape either with franchise tags and what not.
I’d be unhappy too if the owner involved me in coaching and GM conversation only to suddenly not involve me anymore.
Is he cashing checks as a QB or as a consultant??? I’m betting he is cashing the MUCH larger QB check. So why not let others worry about the GM hire.
Trade to the Vikings!!!!
Time for the Bears to make a trade , make up for overlooking Watson in the draft, McCaskeys please sell the team NOW, I went to HS with a few of the McCaskey boys and they were idiots!!!
The reason the Bears overlooked Watson seems pretty obvious now. He’s the same kind of self centered sulking prima donna they had in Jay Cutler. They have no interest in dealing with another QB with that kind of attitude.
So Watson is unhappy because his voice for decisions he shouldn’t be a part of, wasn’t taken?
Ok, got it
So you pay the guy $175 million and that’s not enough you have to worry about hurting his feelings lol.
I mean really though, if I was him I’d have spoken up like a year ago, before BOB completely went off the GM reservation.
Very fair point. Of course, O’Brien was pretty firmly in control then I suppose, so I could see the obstacle.