After 14 long months, Nick Caserio did what was necessary. For the first time since 2017, the Houston Texans start a new week this Monday without the services of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
There’s a scene in “Avengers: Infinity War” that comes near the conclusion of the movie after Thanos, the film’s protagonist, has completed his mission. After vowing to eliminate half of life in the universe, Thanos tells the Avengers that he will “Rest and watch the sunrise on a grateful universe.” The movie, hours later, indeed closes with Thanos watching the sun. The character is scarred, transformed from the beginning of the film, but no doubt content with what’s happened.
Like Thanos, with many disagreeing with his methodology, Caserio finally has his moment in Houston. The battle scars are present, but the deed is finished. Caserio has escaped from an ugly situation involving a franchise quarterback. One who had not only demanded a trade but had found legal trouble in the form of 22 sexual assaults. The chaos still resulted in three first round picks. Despite any debates about the no trade clause, fair value for a top-10 quarterback, or if Houston handled this correctly — it’s over.
Nick Caserio tomorrow starting his first week as the Houston Texans' General Manager without the presence of Deshaun Watson on his roster pic.twitter.com/8VZUkKQOkF
— John Crumpler (@TexansDoc) March 21, 2022
It’s been beyond awkward the last few months. The Texans now, however, are fully able to move on. The final debt of the Bill O’Brien era has been paid and, for the first time in a long time, the focus will be able to be around football in Houston. Caserio has to only wait for the conclusion of the 2022 season and the restoration of the dead money from the O’Brien contracts before it’ll be as if that era of Houston football never happened.
That leaves a key question: what’s next for Nick and his associates on Kirby Drive?
First and foremost, the NFL is preparing to enter the second week of free agency. Houston will have to be ready as well.
The first week of the free agency period is largely defined by paying good players great money and overpayments from franchises hoping to turn the corner. Nowhere is this more evident that the recent spending spree by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston, by and large, was able to avoid any overspending.
Caserio opted to keep many of his own and was able to surprise some folks along the way with the retention of Desmond King, Maliek Collins, and Kamu Grugier-Hill. The core of Lovie Smith’s defense is all back for 2022.
There are still some massive holes to address on the team and it would be ideal if Houston could find some potential answers before turning to the draft in April. Running back and edge rusher in particular stand out as absolutely devoid of talent.
Recruiting the services of a veteran like Ronald Jones or Sony Michel would be very cheap for Houston. Additionally, this would alleviate the need to find a workhorse back early in the draft. At edge rusher, there are some premium talents and some more middling veterans. Adding a player like Derek Barnett, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, would represent the kind of young edge rusher that Houston could potentially carry through the rebuild.
Next, there’s the draft.
Houston’s pick at third overall largely seems to revolve around three players. Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, and North Carolina State offensive guard-tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Nobody knows where Caserio is looking here but all three players would be instant impact.
The addition of pick 13 from the Deshaun Watson trade is a more interesting addition to the puzzle in Houston. Stars such as Utah’s linebacker Devin Lloyd, George defensive tackle Jordan Davis, Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum will all be at play here. The team will have plenty of work cut out for them trying to establish a direction to go.
Caserio’s success, or lack thereof, will have dramatic implications on the success of the 2022 team and what realistic expectations should be for Pep Hamilton’s offense and Smith’s defense respectively.
Nick comes off as slightly agitated but mostly optimistic & driven right now.
"I'll be damned if I don't go down swinging."
Say what you want, he's likeable at the podium and clearly believes in his process and what they're doing. Cannot wait to see the 2022 class #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@TexansDoc) March 19, 2022
No matter what happens, Caserio is doing this his way. Houston fans will have to see what he believes to be the next best step forward.
