Report: Deshaun Watson 'furious' with Texans

If the Houston Texans took the advice of search firm Korn Ferry, the franchise would've likely hired Pittsburgh Steelers vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan as its next general manager, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Khan and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick were finalists for the position until Texans owner Cal McNair unexpectedly pivoted, Schefter adds, hiring former New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio. 

Over the last week, several reports said star quarterback Deshaun Watson is unhappy with the franchise for how it handled the general manager search, leaving him out of the process after promising to include him and take his opinion into account. Watson reportedly even began telling teammates that he might request a trade from the franchise after a disappointing 4-12 season. 

Schefter says that Watson is "upset" that McNair hired a man Korn Ferry didn't include on its list of general manager candidates and he's "furious" at the direction the Texans are going.

"Watson is said to be furious at the Texans' direction, and others are as well, with some saying that there will be employees who wind up leaving the organization during the offseason," Schefter writes. 

A person who knows Watson said this week that when the team traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals, the quarterback's anger level "was a two," per Schefter. Apparently, this time his level of anger is a 10. 

The 25-year-old also reportedly wanted the team to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the head-coaching gig. The Texans are the only team with an open spot not to interview him. 

Despite Houston's struggles as a whole, Watson had the best statistical season of his career in 2020, completing 70.2% of his passes for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also ran for 444 yards and three touchdowns. 

It would be a mistake for the Texans to trade Watson, but they might not have a choice if the Clemson product is unhappy. If he were made available in discussions, the franchise would likely be looking for a top draft pick in exchange for the QB.