HOUSTON – Cal McNair, chairman and CEO of Texans, has admitted that he has not heard from Deshaun Watson since appointing Nick Caserio as general manager, but said he hopes to speak to the franchise quarter soon about the step.
“I realized that Deshaun was reportedly feeling out of the process, but he and I had several visits and I understood his point of view before we met with candidates,” McNair said Friday. “I reached out to Deshaun about Nick’s rent, and I’m looking forward to returning to me when he returns from his vacation.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Watson has provided input on potential top management candidates, but that the Texans are not considering or consulting those endorsed by their franchise quarterback.
“Some things never change …” Watson tweeted on Tuesday, with sources telling ESPN that the quarterback’s feelings are directed at the way things are run by the Texans.
Watson met McNair during the season with Zoom over Zoom to discuss candidates and the future of the franchise, and during his news conference at the end of the season, Watson said he told McNair he hopes the team has offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on the staff.
McNair, who has been holding a news conference for the first time since taking over for his father in 2018, spoke while introducing Caserio. When Caserio was asked about rumors that Watson wanted to be traded after finding out on social media about his lease, the general manager said Watson “is our quarterback.”
“Once we have the opportunity to spend time together, we will continue our discussion,” Caserio said. “Can’t tell you how much respect and admiration I have for him for who he is as a player and what he means to this franchise.”
If the Texans traded Watson, they would have to pay a salary tax of $ 22 million.
The Texans appointed Caserio just over four months after firing former team coach and general manager Bill O’Brien. Despite hiring a coach who has spent the previous 20 years in New England, McNair said the Texans are not trying to duplicate the Patriots’ culture.
“In terms of their organization, we do not consider ourselves Patriots South,” McNair said. “We’re here to lead this team the Texans way.”