Deshaun Watson seems to have reached a boiling point when it comes to the Houston Texans. Shortly after Cal McNair, the owner of Texas, publicly declared (among other things) that Jack Easterby would remain as vice president of football operations for the team, Watson posted a message on Twitter indicating his level of frustration with the franchise.
Tweet from Watson confirmed a recent report ESPN’s Adam Schefter, stating that Watson’s anger level reached “10” – it was previously “2” after the team switched All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals last season.
“I was at 2, then I moved to 10”, Watson tweeted Friday afternoon.
In addition to confirming that he would not part with Easterby, McNair told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle that he wants Watson to be part of the process as to who will be the team’s next coach. McNair also said he has been texting with his Pro Bowl quarterback. The two did not communicate when Watson was recently on vacation.
“It is no secret that he is disappointed with (lack of) communication during the hiring process,” McNair said of Watson not being involved in hiring general manager Nick Caserio via NFL.com.
Watson and Andre Johnson should be included in the hiring process for a new Texan general manager and head coach. Watson, Johnson, team president Jamey Rootes and search firm Korn Ferry were also supposed to help McNair when he started filling those vacancies.
While those mentioned above should have a say in the hiring process, things quickly went wrong, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. McNair hired Caserio while the interviews were still being conducted, according to La Canfora. Candidates still waiting for the interview never got the chance.
McNair’s actions clearly don’t go well with Johnson, a seven-time Pro Bowl receiver and the first player to enter the Texans’ Ring of Honor. On Tuesday, Johnson, via Twitter, delivered a message to Watson, who is reportedly considering waiving the no-trade clause currently in his contract.
“If I go @deshaunwatson, I will stand my ground. The Texans organization has been known to waste the careers of players. Since Jack Easterby entered the building, nothing good has happened in / for the organization and, for some reason, someone can’t. see what’s going on. Pathetic !!! “
Hopkins, who continued to play Pro Bowl with the Cardinals, responded to Johnson’s comments.
“When Dre speaks, listen,” Hopkins wrote via Twitter.
A member of the Texans organization since 2019, Easterby was promoted to VP of football operations last February. Easterby spent six seasons in New England with Caserio, who has spent the past 13 years as a team director for Patriots players.
Amid mounting speculation that Easterby was gone, McNair ended those rumors on Friday.
“Jack’s scrutiny is really unjustified,” said McNair. “Jack was put in that role that the organization needed. If mistakes were made during that process, we will own them in our building. Jack (will return) to the role he was brought here to and the one he grew up in after going there.”
Watson is still angry at Texans’ insensitivity to social justice, including team hiring practices, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on Sunday. Specifically, Watson was upset after the Texans did not conduct an interview with the current Chiefs offensive coordinator, Eric Bienemy. Watson would consider waiving his no-trade clause to go to Miami on a deal that would include the current Dolphins’ quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
Watson is not the only Texan star who is upset about the current state of the team. JJ Watt was heard three times as the defensive player of the year apologizing to Watson at the end of the team’s defeat in week 17 to the Titans.
“I’m sorry we missed one of your years,” Watt said the 25-year-old defender.
After two consecutive playoff seasons, the Texans won just four games in 2020. Despite the team’s lack of success, Watson led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards. He also completed 70.2% of his passes with 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, winning his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
Although he did not publicly address the current rumors surrounding Watson, Caserio said that Watson is “our defender” when he addressed the media on January 8. McNair also offered his support to Watson on Friday.
“I’ve watched Deshaun since he played for Clemson,” said McNair. “I believe he can win championships here. We believe him. He is a great person and a Texan. He is our quarterback.”