We know that disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson wanted his team's brain trust to interview Kansas Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for its head coaching vacancy. That suggestion was initially ignored. The Texans didn't request to interview Bieniemy until after Watson expressed his frustration with the organization, which had come to him and asked for his involvement.
Now, the Texans can't even speak with Bieniemy until the Chiefs are ousted from the playoffs or win it all in February.
Apparently, Bieniemy wasn't the only head-coaching candidate suggested by Watson. According to a report by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the quarterback also suggested that the Texans speak with former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
That was ignored, too. You can see how this might lead to irreparable frustration on Watson's part.
The Texans were the only organization with a head-coaching vacancy that did not even request to speak with Saleh. That's a bad look when your star quarterback, whose input Texans owner Cal McNair sought, advocated for him.
It's too late now. The New York Jets hired Saleh to be their new head coach, and the Texans still have an important relationship to mend internally.
"He is one unhappy camper and has no plans to be with the Houston Texans anytime soon — if ever," reported ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.
That could leave Watson seeking a trade away from the team that has left him feeling disrespected. By the way, recent odds give the 49ers the third-best chance to have the quarterback on their roster for the start of the 2021 season. Although, if Watson wanted Saleh as his head coach, maybe the Jets are an option.
Added Schefter: "I think the issue with Deshaun is that they went to him to ask his input into what they should do going forward. He didn't go to them. They went to him. They asked his opinion. And then they ignored his opinion."
