HOUSTON – Texas President and CEO Cal McNair acknowledged that he has not heard from Deshaun Watson since hiring Nick Caserio as general manager, but said he hopes to speak to the franchise quarterback soon about the move.
“I understood that it was reported that Deshaun feels left out of the process, but he and I had several visits and I understood his point of view before meeting with the candidates,” said McNair on Friday. “I spoke to Deshaun about hiring Nick, and I’m looking forward to him answering me when he gets back from his vacation.”
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Watson offered suggestions on potential general manager candidates, but that the Texans did not consider or consult those endorsed by the franchise’s quarterback.
“Some things never change …” Watson tweeted on Tuesday, with sources telling ESPN that the quarterback’s feelings were directed at the way business was conducted by Texans.
Watson met with McNair during Zoom during the season to discuss candidates and the future of the franchise, and at his end-of-season press conference, Watson said he told McNair that he hopes the team will keep offensive coordinator Tim Kelly at team.
McNair, who gave a press conference for the first time since he took over from his father in 2018, spoke while introducing Caserio. When Caserio was asked about rumors that Watson wanted to be traded after finding out about his hiring on social media, the general manager said that Watson “is our defender”.
“As soon as we have the opportunity to spend time together, we will continue our discussion,” said Caserio. “I can’t say how much respect and admiration I have for him for who he is as a player and what he means for this franchise.”
If Texans wanted to trade Watson, they would have to absorb a $ 22 million cap wage charge.
The Texans hired Caserio just over four months after firing Bill O’Brien, the team’s former coach and general manager. Despite hiring a technician who spent the previous 20 years in New England, McNair said that Texans are not trying to reproduce the Patriots’ culture.
“As for their organization, we don’t consider ourselves Patriots South,” said McNair. “We are here to lead this team in the Texan way.”