Caserio likely will remain with the Patriots through the '20 Draft when his deal expiresGETTY IMAGES
There has been a "surprising exodus" of Patriots coaches and scouts over the last two years, "raising questions about the working environment in Foxborough" and exposing some "tension inside the walls of Gillette Stadium," according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Though the Patriots got their way in the dispute over Dir of Player Personnel Nick Caserio, the "real story" is this: Caserio "wants out of New England." More specifically, Caserio wants to be the Texans' new GM, "even though it was more of a lateral move than a true promotion." To "prevent Caserio from leaving, the Patriots had to enforce a clause in his contract and file tampering charges" against the Texans. With Caserio’s deal reportedly running through the '20 NFL Draft, to "use football terms, the Patriots are making him play out his contract before reaching free agency." Five Patriots coaches left this offseason, and "not all for promotions." If Caserio "wanted to stay" with the Patriots, he "would have just turned down the Texans’ overtures." Instead, the Patriots had to "lawyer up to enforce Caserio’s contract" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/18).
LACK OF A PLAN IN HOUSTON? CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora wrote if the Texans have a plan for moving forward, they have a "funny way of showing it." If they are in fact "trying to give the appearance of a fairly rudderless, fractured franchise in the aftermath of the passing of patriarch" Owner Bob McNair, then "full marks." They have "nailed the landing" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/17).
