When the Houston Texans began their hiring process for a head coach and general manager, star quarterback Deshaun Watson was promised input on the organization’s key decisions. Now, with a GM in place, trouble seems to be brewing in Houston.
Watson, who led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and finishing with the second-highest quarterback rating (112.4), is coming off the best season in his NFL career. While a 4-12 season prevented him from being an NFL MVP candidate, the breakout campaign seemingly paved the way for him to be the face of the franchise.
Now, that may be uncertain. Hours after reports first leaked that Watson started talking to teammates about asking the franchise for a trade, alarming details are emerging that detail problems within the organization.
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Texans rumors: Deshaun Watson not speaking to Texans, upset over hiring process
After spending the first four years of his NFL career stuck with Bill O’Brien, who orchestrated the ridiculed DeAndre Hopkins trade, Deshaun Watson was excited for change this offseason. Team owner Cal McNair informed Watson that he would be involved in the hiring process for the team’s next general manager and head coach.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Watson offered input and suggested potential candidates to become general manager. The 25-year-old recognized that it was unlikely his proposed candidates would land the job, but wanted to at least be given the respect of his ideas being honored. However, the Texans never consulted nor endorsed the names proposed by their face of the franchise.
The Texans hired New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio this week to replace O’Brien as the team’s general manager. Watson learned of Caserio’s hiring on social media, per Schefter, with McNair never informing the Pro Bowl quarterback that a hiring was imminent.
Now, the situation in Houston is escalating. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Watson is extremely unhappy with the organization. The Texans’ brass has attempted to speak to him since Caserio was hired and their calls have been ignored.
It’s important to note, Watson’s issues with the hiring process aren’t related to Caserio personally. Instead, per Schefter and Rapoport, the frustration is entirely tied to ownership telling him he would be involved and then completely ignoring their quarterback’s thoughts then hiring without any communication.
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Not only that, per ESPN, Watson didn’t even get a chance to meet with the candidates who Houston targeted. He would provide a voice from inside the locker room, offering insight into what the players believe the team needs. Ultimately, that opportunity never came.