There comes a breaking point for everyone. Now, the Houston Texans have pushed theirs with Deshaun Watson after failing to interview another head coach.
Teams will live and die by the quarterback play. It’s why the Houston Texans finished 4-12 in 2020 instead of 0-16.
The Texans now are in shambles following the recent news of Deshaun Watson. After the team elected to retain executive Jack Easterby under owner Cal McNair’s call, Watson more and more is making it clear that he wants out of the organization.
No franchise is looking to trade their top player or a top-five quarterback in the NFL, something Watson undoubtedly is. However, promises have been broken and retribution has been earned.
In addition to Eric Bieniemy, Deshaun Watson also wanted the the #Texans to interview then #49ers DC Robert Saleh and was ignored by the team, per @ProFootballTalk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 17, 2021
Houston was the only team not to interview Robert Saleh.
The #Jets made Saleh their next head coach.
Watson asked for the Texans to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. It took the hiring of Nick Caserio to even speak that into existence. Now, there’s another coach Watson wanted but the team failed to interview.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Watson was keen on Houston giving an interview to San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The Texans didn’t even pick up the phone as a courtesy.
The New York Jets and Saleh agreed to a five-year deal on Thursday to make him the team’s next head coach.
Watson’s time in Houston could be coming to an end
Saleh, who spent two seasons with the Texans under McNair’s father, Bob, would have been a perfect hire to fix the 30th ranked defense. More than that, the background of Saleh as a leader has made him one of the more sought-after names this offseason.
The Texans' effort to get Deshaun Watson to change his mind isn't working https://t.co/RGlZS5XdS2
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 16, 2021
Most recently. the Texans interviewed Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for the open position. The team must wait to interview Bieniemy until after the Chiefs exit from the postseason.
Watson has reasons to be upset with the team. If McNair and Easterby never told him his opinion would matter, all this would be blown out of proportion. Instead, both told reporters after the firing of Bill O’Brien that his voice would be influential on the hires.
“Don’t alienate your most valuable employee.”@minakimes on how the Texans organization can mend their relationship with Deshaun Watson. pic.twitter.com/viFK64jHli
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 8, 2021
So far, they’re 0-1 on keeping their word.
Caserio’s role in this should be limited. A 19-year career helping the New England Patriots win is more than enough to say he’s qualified for the role of GM. However, was this a name Watson wanted? Time will tell how this works out.
Instead, Caserio must fix the wrongdoings to his franchise’s quarterback before it’s too late. The harsh reality is, the damage is already done.