Houston Texans Part Ways With Vice President Jack Easterby
The Houston Texans have parted ways with its Vice President of Football Operations, Jack Easterby. Easterby’s tenure with the organization comes to an end after four seasons with the Texans. Since being hired back in 2019, Easterby was a major influence within the Texans organization. Easterby was given a more prominent role after the Texans fired former General Manager & Head Coach Bill O’Brien in 2020. Easterby’s responsibilities will be assumed by the entire football operations staff, according to Texans Owner Cal McNair.
O’Brien was fired after starting the season 0-4, but had previously come under fire from the Texans community for trading away star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins for a 2nd-round pick, a swap of 4th-round picks and running back David Johnson. Johnson was below average that year, netting 691 rushing yards & six touchdowns. Furthermore, the Cardinals reportedly were considering cutting Johnson at the end of the season.
The trade of former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson happened under Easterby’s tenure with the organization. Watson did not play a single game the season prior, as the quarterback was adamant in his desire to be traded. The Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints all expressed interest in Watson. The Browns initially pulled out of the Watson sweepstakes & the Panthers were ruled out, leaving the Saints & Falcons in a bidding war over the quarterback until the Browns reentered the race.
However, the Browns attempts to go after Watson sullied the relationship between it and Baker Mayfield. Mayfield requested to be traded. As a result, the Browns went all in on Watson, offering the quarterback a blockbuster five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. Mayfield was later traded to the Panthers for a mid-round draft pick.
McNair paired Easterby up with Nick Caserio. Caserio was hired to be the Texans General Manager. McNair delegated O’Brien’s responsibilities to Easterby, but the owner reportedly emphasized that he would not be giving Easterby the position as general manager. Easterby’s career has spanned multiple organizations, dating all the way back to 2011 when debuted with the Kansas City Chiefs as its chaplain. Easterby’s longest tenure came as a member of the New England Patriots for six seasons.
ESPN has more HERE.
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