Report: Deshaun Watson angered by the team ignoring search firm GM recommendation

The Houston Texans have a new general manager, but star quarterback Deshaun Watson is not pleased with the decision-making process or the lack of communication around the final decision, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Team owner Cal McNair has met with Watson during the hiring process, but Schefter is hearing the team powered through with their own choice. The team hired search firm Korn Ferry, but elected to go in a different direction when they recommended Pittsburgh Steelers VP Omar Khan and ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Louis Riddick as finalists for the job. They hired Nick Caserio, a Patriots executive long sought by GM-seekers in recent years.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is hearing Watson’s displeasure extends beyond just the hiring. Mortensen tweeted that the QB “is still angry about team’s insensitivity to social justice, including hiring practices, after the franchise failed to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy this past week.”

The Texans front office has been a mess this offseason following Jack Easterbay’s elevation into a more prominent role. There’s speculation Watson could ask for a trade, but that’s a long way from happening. There are salary cap implications, but more importantly, team generally don’t trade elite quarterbacks that are still in their prime. It will be a story to track, especially as rumors pick up steam, but it would seemingly be a sizable upset to see Watson get moved.