In their efforts to fill their GM vacancy, the Texans asked to interview top Patriots executives Nick Caserio (director of player personnel) and Monti Ossenfort (director of college scouting). However, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports, New England denied that request.
But, Schefter goes on to say that the Patriots’ refusal does not necessarily bring the matter to a close. The ESPN scribe writes that Caserio and Ossenfort still might be able to interview for the Texans job after the Patriots’ season ends, thanks to the league’s newly-relaxed rules that govern hiring executives from other clubs. In past years, teams could block their executives from interviewing elsewhere by saying that the individual had final say on the 53-man roster. Now, the league’s anti-tampering policy provides that final authority regarding the composition of the 53-man roster will not prevent someone from accepting a position with another team.
Interestingly, the Patriots did permit Caserio to interview with the 49ers for their GM job last offseason, and as Ben Volin of the Boston Globe observes (Twitter link), they allowed him to interview with the division-rival Dolphins two seasons ago, so their refusal represents a notable change in procedure. But given that New England is about to lose defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to head coaching positions with other teams, perhaps the Pats are simply trying to maintain some degree of continuity.
If Houston is willing to wait, they could still get a crack at Caserio and Ossenfort. In the meantime, the Texans are looking at Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst and Bills vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine.
Not sure that losing both coordinators is a certainty yet.
Even if it happens, NE won’t miss s beat! McDaniels left for Denver once, Bill O’Brien, Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Eric Mancini, etc…, and look how they just keep winning! Go Pats!
If both Patricia and McDaniels leave this offseason it’ll hurt a bit just with having to replace the two. Not to mention if they take any assistants with them as well.
Yeah losing both now would be tough to stomach. I think McDaniels waits another year because Andy Reid has to be on the hot seat. McDaniels would be a great fit for the Chiefs, and he could do a lot for Mahomes.
I think Patricia and McDaniels would enjoy “some” days off !!
If Belichick leaves Caserio will take over with McDaniels as coach
There is absolutely no way in hell that Belichick leaves
Classy move as always by the Patriots. Are they so afraid of messing with their stable geniusness?
Plenty of teams deny other team’s permission to interview certain guys. Depending on who is making the call to deny the request, maybe the plan is to keep them just in case Belichick does leave.