Although writing has been on the wall for a few years, Nick Caserio stayed with the New England Patriots, even when other teams tried to lure him away. Now, however, one has succeeded: the Houston Texans are expected to appoint the 45-year-old as their new general manager. Houston has tried unsuccessfully to hire Caserio twice before.
Caserio has served as personnel director for Patriots players since 2008 and was one of the architects of the team’s last three races in the Super Bowl. Losing him, especially in a crucial offseason like this, is obviously a blow to New England, as the club will now have to occupy one of the highest positions on its board.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at what Caserio’s departure means to the Patriots and Texans.
Bill Belichick will have to find a new right arm
Although officially listed as the players’ personnel director, Caserio wore many hats during his time with the Patriots. He was actually acting as general manager alongside Bill Belichick and, as such, actively involved in recruiting and free agency – so much so that he was training players during the pre-recruitment cycle, for example – and was even sitting in the booth Game day. To make a long story short, Caserio filled many roles.
Now, the team will have to find a way to replace them all. The most important job he just opened within the organization, however, may just be Belichick’s right-hand man: Belichick trusted Caserio to make moves on his behalf and on behalf of the Patriots, and even though he still had the final say. , gave his player team director a lot of freedom to do his job. Caserio’s successor will have to earn that trust.
Caserio’s departure could lead to further changes
The Texans bringing Caserio on board could impact New England on more than just one level; the team’s coaching staff could also turn around with him now in Houston. The name to watch is obviously offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels joined the Patriots alongside Caserio in 2001, and since then the two have won prominent roles in the team. Their story goes even further: the two were also John Carroll’s college teammates – Caserio played as a defender, wide receiver McDaniels – and even shared a room together on trips. That said, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, McDaniels is not currently seen as a candidate to fill the vacant Texas technical position.
He is also part of the connection with John Carroll Dave Ziegler, who was promoted to assistant director of player selection last year and is seen as the main candidate to take over from Caserio. Given his own long-standing history with Caserio, he may also become a name to watch as a potential supporter towards Houston.
Houston decides to return well to the Patriots
Caserio is not the first major addition by Houston that has a history with the Patriots. Former team general manager and head coach Bill O’Brien also came from New England, though via Penn State: he spent five years with the Patriots, including as an offensive coordinator in 2011. But despite O’Brien’s tenure arriving to a disappointing ending – he was fired after the team’s 0-4 start this year – the Texans feel confident of going with another Bill Belichick acolyte.
It is not known what role Jack Easterby played in the decision, but it would not be surprising if he defended Caserio’s hiring. Easterby, of course, left New England for Houston in February 2019 and played a central role in the tampering charges that the Patriots brought against the Texans last year.
The list of six times champions in New England gets smaller and smaller
A year after losing longtime quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots will now see another member of their “Super Bowl six ring club” depart. Caserio was part of the organization throughout his dynastic race in the 2000s and 2010, winning his first three championship rings as a personal assistant, area scout and professional personnel director, respectively, before adding three more to his most recent position. .
With him now absent, the Patriots football team has only 11 world champions six times:
- Head coach Bill Belichick
- Ivan Fears, running back coach
- Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels
- Scouting Administration Director Nancy Meier
- Brian Smith College Scouting Director
- Research director Richard Miller
- Dan Famosi, specialist in information technology
- Head coach / football director Berj Najarian
- Football Research Director, Ernie Adams
- Video director Jimmy Dee
- Assistant video director Fernando Neto
The team’s ownership – chiefly CEO Robert Kraft and President Jonathan Kraft – also belongs to that club, although it does not fall into the “football team” category, given its unique position in the franchise.