How Texans went from NFL laughingstock to contender with Stefon Diggs joining C.J. Stroud

Dec. 31, 2017General manager Rick Smith takes leave of absenceSmith, who’d led the front office since 2006, left for family reasons. But reports indicated he also had a strained relationship with head coach Bill O’Brien, who was hired ahead of the 2014 season after working with the New England Patriots.June 7, 2019Brian Gaine fired as new GMReplacing the absent Smith, Gaine lasted just one season at his post. His exit unofficially cleared the way for O’Brien to become the Texans’ chief decision-maker.Aug. 31, 2019Laremy Tunsil acquired via tradeIn a major shakeup just before the season, O’Brien shipped Jadeveon Clowney, the club’s top pass rusher, to the Seattle Seahawks while separately adding Tunsil, a young left tackle, in a blockbuster deal involving two first-round draft picks.

Jan. 28, 2020

Bill O’Brien officially named GM

Houston advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2019, enjoying a breakout from young quarterback Deshaun Watson under O’Brien’s leadership at head coach. This move simply confirmed O’Brien as the man in charge.

March 16, 2020

DeAndre Hopkins traded to Cardinals

In a stunner, O’Brien dealt Hopkins, the star receiver who topped 1,100 yards in five of his previous six years, to Arizona for a package including injury-marred running back David Johnson. The deal was widely criticized.

Oct. 5, 2020

Bill O’Brien fired as coach and GM

Less than a year after officially claiming the GM title, O’Brien was dismissed following an 0-4 start to the 2020 season. He finished with a 52-48 overall record, and a much-maligned track record as a personnel chief.

Jan. 7, 2021Nick Caserio hired as new GMLike O’Brien, Caserio arrived with New England Patriots roots, having spent the previous 20 years as an assistant coach and front-office man in Foxborough.
Jan. 28, 2021Deshaun Watson requests tradeJust one year after signing a four-year, $156 million contract extension, the star quarterback reportedly expressed discontent with the direction of the team.

Jan. 29,…

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Author : Cody Benjamin

Publish date : 2024-04-04 17:43:40

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