Nick Caserio interviewed for the Panthers and Texans GM job today, but he traveled to Houston for the Texans meeting. And the old-fashioned CEO of Patriots may be ready to make a big leap.
The Texans are expected to appoint Caserio as their next general manager, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Although nothing has been completed, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes (on TwitterThe chance that Caserio will be in New England again next season can be classified as ‘slim to none’. Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com’s report from Caserio in Houston made a real promise (via Twitter).
This step is about to happen, with Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweet the Texans have indeed pulled in Caserio and Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, noting that a deal is being finalized. His departure will depart Dave Ziegler as Bill Belichick‘s top lieutenant, though the Broncos – who gave Ziegler his NFL start – requested a GM interview. The Pats lose Monti Ossenfort to the Titans last year.
Caserio, of course, has an extensive history with the Texans. The team wanted to hire him in 2019, but his unusual Patriots contract forbade such a move. However, he reappeared on the Texas radar Bill O’Brien‘s shooting in the early season. Caserio worked with current Texans CEO Jack Easterby in New England and stays close to the former Patriots staff. It is believed that Easterby swings a lot about which direction the Texans are going with this rent.
Now 45, Caserio has been with the Patriots for 20 years. After Scott Pioli went to Kansas City in 2009, Caserio became a key role as Belichick’s right-hand man. He has been with the team for the six Super Bowl titles. The Patriots and Caserio reached another expansion deal in February 2020.
If Caserio gets this job, he will end up in an interesting situation. O’Brien’s short term of GM involves some brand new and criticized industries, and one of them – the Laremy Tunsil deal – leave the Texans without their first or second round. Miami ranks Houston overall overall in third place. Reviving this roster is quite an achievement, but the Texans hiring a driver who has been pursuing them for years would also be a big step.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.