When the Houston Texans hired Nick Caserio was general manager, Deshaun Watson not onboard.
After cryptic social media messages and a trade request, it was evident Caserio would have to go from a soft rebuild — one with a starting quarterback in place — to a hard rebuild — one without a starting quarterback and a total gutting of the roster.
The former New England Patriots director of player personnel from 2008-20 knew that he wasn’t going to get any sympathy for the Texans’ hardships; it was simply time to go to work.