NFL Rumors: Houston Texans GM May Rejoin New England Patriots

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio may be heading home. Writing for Audacy, senior Texans columnist John McClain shared that there is emerging speculation that Caserio could leave the Texans following the 2023 NFL Draft and rejoin the New England Patriots.

There's a rumor making the rounds that Nick Caserio could leave Houston for a return to New England, after the draft. https://t.co/hiUHJcKlzX
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 13, 2023

McClain posits Caserio is content in Houston and would prefer to continue working with new head coach DeMeco Ryans, but it may not be up to him. Caserio joined a flailing Texans organization in 2021 and has led the franchise to an NFL-worst seven wins over his two seasons in charge. Performances like that don't tend to earn a lot of job security.

Caserio worked for the Patriots from 2001 all the way until 2020, winning six Super Bowls. He served as director of player personnel from 2008 on, functioning as a sort of defacto GM underneath head coach Bill Belichick, who maintains the final say on all roster and draft decisions.

The Patriots have a long history of welcoming back failed coaches and front-office figures who left for greener pastures. They currently have three former head coaches on their staff: offensive line coach Matt Patricia flamed out with the Detroit Lions, offensive assistant Joe Judge was in charge for two seasons with the New York Giants, and offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien lasted seven years with the Texans.

Parting ways with Caserio at this time of year would be an odd move for the Texans, but it's possible their new head coach already has a replacement lined up. Or maybe the Texans aren't set on maximizing their competitiveness this season. In any case, Caserio appears to be playing out his last chance in Houston.