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While the Texans are trying to repair the damage the team has inflicted on their relationship with quarterback Deshaun Watson, the entire scope of the division gains an even clearer focus.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Watson recommended not only the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, for an interview with the head coach, but also former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Texans during the first week after the end of the regular season did not ask to interview either of them.
The Texans eventually applied for permission to interview Bieniemy during the past week. However, as the interview did not take place during the farewell week in Kansas City, Texans must now wait until the Chiefs’ season is over before speaking to Bieniemy.
The Texans did not ask for permission to interview Saleh at any time. Saleh, who was interviewed by all teams with a vacancy except Texans, recently became the new Jets coach.
Watson’s recommendations came at the invitation of owner Cal McNair, who decided to involve Watson in the process. Watson suggested Bieniemy and Saleh after talking to other players in the league and after consulting with Watson’s teammates in Houston.
From Watson’s point of view, the failure to interview these candidates made no sense, since Zoom’s videoconference interviews are easily organized and performed.
It is not clear whether Bieniemy’s hiring will address Watson’s broader concerns about the organization, especially given the perception (or reality) that Texans asked to interview Bieniemy just to appease Watson. However, the failure to interview Saleh and to initially request permission to interview Bieniemy is being considered by Watson as a sign of disrespect, since the property specifically included him in the process.