HOUSTON – A week after Houston Texans President and CEO Cal McNair said he had not received a response from quarterback Deshaun Watson since hiring General Manager Nick Caserio, McNair said he has now “connected by text” with Watson.
“It is no secret that he is disappointed in communication during the hiring process,” said McNair, according to an interview with the Houston Chronicle and Fox 26 Houston.
On the day that the Texans announced the hiring of Caserio, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Watson was not happy with the process because, according to league sources, “Watson offered information about potential general manager candidates, but the Texans did not consider or consult those endorsed by the franchise quarterback “.
Now, McNair says the Texans “want to [Watson] on the circuit and part of the process “while Houston looks for his next head coach. Watson found on social media, not the team, that the Texans hired Caserio, several sources told Schefter.
In the interview, McNair also said he would not fire Jack Easterby, executive vice president of football operations for the Texans. Earlier this week, former Texas wide receiver Andre Johnson tweeted that he supported Watson and criticized Easterby.
“The Texans organization is known for wasting players’ careers,” tweeted Johnson. “Since Jack Easterby entered the building, nothing good has happened to / for the organization and, for some reason, someone can’t seem to see what’s going on. Pathetic !!!”
McNair initially said Easterby would not be involved in the hiring process for the next Texan general manager, but said at Caserio’s introductory press conference that he asked for Easterby’s feedback “about Nick as a leader” during the decision-making process.
“Jack and I had a very special relationship,” said Caserio. “This goes back several years. … I have enormous respect and admiration for him. Any personal decision that is made, we will make as a group, but ultimately, this is a responsibility that Cal has instilled in me, is to deal with the personal side of football operations. That is the expectation going forward. “
Schefter also reported that after the Texans switched to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Watson’s anger level was “2. … This time, it’s 10.”
On Friday, Watson tweeted, “I was at 2, then I went to 10.” Less than 30 minutes later, Watson tweeted, “Future – Mo Reala vibes!” This song contains the lyrics, “I was at 2, so I took it to 10.”
“Changing is difficult and we are going through changes and I accept that everything has not gone perfectly,” said McNair in the interview. “It is difficult and we are working on it. If players, media and fans are upset, it is up to me and I will apologize for my actions or communications that created distrust and I accept the frustrations of the team and the fans.”