By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Houston Texans will end their pursuit of Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio after the Patriots lodged tampering charges against the Texans earlier this week.
The Patriots filed those charges with the league on Wednesday amid Houston’s attempts to hire Caserio as their new general manager. The NFL reportedly opened an investigation into the matter.
John McClain of The Houston Chronicle was the first to report that the Texans would no longer try and hire Caserio.
Texans withdrawing pursuit of Caserio. Pats dropping tampering charges.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) June 14, 2019
The Texans followed up that report a short time later with a statement saying they “believed” they did not violate the NFL’s anti-tampering policy. Chairman Cal McNair said he told Patriots owner Robert Kraft that his team would stop pursuing Caserio.
Statement from #Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair: pic.twitter.com/SRqedL5yfp
— Texans PR (@TexansPR) June 14, 2019
Had the NFL found the Texans guilty of tampering, they would have faced punishment from the league, including possible draft pick penalties.
This now leaves Houston without a general manager after firing Brain Gaine last week. Adam Schefter reported that the Texans might not fill the position for the 2019 season.
With Houston dropping its pursuit of Nick Caserio, there now is a scenario under which the Texans will go this season without an official General Manager. For less than a year, Bill O’Brien, Jack Easterby and the scouting dept could divvy up the duties.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 14, 2019
But Nora Princiotti of The Boston Globe reported that the Texans could pursue another high-ranking member of the Patriots front office:
Nick Caserio will stay in NE, but Texans could still go after Patriots director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort.
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) June 14, 2019
One thing is for certain: the Texans sure like hiring coaches and staff members with ties to the Patriots organization.
You can hear Matt McCarthy on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.
