Kahale Warring

Patriots Waive TE Kahale Warring

The Patriots have waived tight end Kahale Warring, per the NFL’s transactions wire. The timing comes as a bit of a surprise, since Warring was claimed off waivers just a few days ago. 

[POLL: Who Will Be The Patriots’ QB1?]

The Texans, who are now run by longtime Bill Belichick right-hand man Nick Caserio, cut Warring in their move down to 80 players. The Pats grabbed him right after placing fellow TEs Dalton Keene and Troy Fumagalli on IR. Warring seemed to have a solid chance of making the roster in support of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, especially since Henry is banged up with an injury of his own. However, for one reason or another, it didn’t work out.

The rest of the league will now have an opportunity to claim Warring. The Colts and Saints tried to snag him the last time around, so both teams seem like logical destinations for the 24-year-old.

Colts, Saints Tried To Claim Kahale Warring

The Patriots snagged Kahale Warring on Tuesday, but they weren’t the only contenders with claims on the former Texans tight end. The Colts and Saints also submitted waiver wire claims for Warring, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). 

Ultimately, the Pats won out thanks to their higher priority, by way of their disappointing 2020. The 2019 third-rounder will help to fortify New England’s TE group, which has lost Dalton Keene, a 2020 third-round pick, and Troy Fumagalli to injury.

Of course, the Patriots were already rock-solid up top, thanks to newcomers Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. At the same time, Henry is down with an injury of his own, so the Patriots had extra incentive to pounce on warring.

Warring, 24, has yet to produce as a pro. He’s got just three catches across two seasons, most of which were spent on IR. Still, scouts loved his potential coming out of San Diego State. He’s got upside between his 6’5″ frame and surprising athleticism — just ask Bill BelichickChris Ballard, or Mickey Loomis.

Patriots Claim TE Kahale Warring

After the Texans gave up on former third-round pick Kahale Warring, the Patriots will give the young tight end an opportunity. The Pats claimed Warring off waivers Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

The Texans, who are now run by longtime Bill Belichick right-hand man Nick Caserio, cut Warring in their move down to 80 players. The former Bill O’Brien-era draftee will now report to Foxborough, where O’Brien once worked. This marks the highest offseason waiver priority the Patriots have held in decades, so it would not surprise if more waiver moves followed in the coming days.

New England’s claim comes after some tight end issues affected its roster. The Pats placed both Dalton Keene, a 2020 third-round pick, and Troy Fumagalli on IR. While the Pats devoted considerable resources to upgrading their tight end corps this offseason, signing Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, they are a bit thin at the position entering their third preseason game. Henry is also down with an injury, though he remains on the Pats’ active roster.

Warring did not contribute much with the Texans. The 6-foot-5 San Diego State product caught just three passes in two seasons and played in just seven games. He missed all of the 2019 season due to injury and also spent a chunk of the 2020 campaign on IR.

Warring, 24, was not all that prolific with the Aztecs, either, totaling 49 catches for 620 yards and six touchdowns over his final two seasons. Two years remain on Warring’s rookie contract.

Texans To Waive TE Kahale Warring

The Texans are giving up on Kahale Warring, a third-round pick from the 2019 draft. Houston is waiving the young tight end, Mark Berman of Fox 26 tweets.

Teams must trim their rosters from 85 to 80 players by 3pm CT Tuesday, and the Texans have made Warring one of their second-wave cuts. Two years remain on Warring’s rookie contract, which will only be relevant if another team claims him.

A San Diego State product who went off the 2019 draft board at No. 86 overall, Warring has struggled with injuries and has not played much during his time in Houston. The 6-foot-5 pass catcher has played in just seven games in two seasons. Warring missed all of the 2019 season due to injury and spent a chunk of the 2020 season on IR as well.

GM Nick Caserio‘s regime authorized numerous deals for midlevel veterans across the Texans’ depth chart, but the team is light on proven tight ends. The Texans cut previous starter Darren Fells earlier this year. The Texans used a fifth-round pick on former Miami tight end Brevin Jordan this year, though they still have former Bill O’Brien-era third-round pick Jordan Akins on their roster.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/23/20

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Rams

Pittsburgh Steelers

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/15/20

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/3/19

Here are today’s minor moves:

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Texans Notes: Gaine, Caserio, Clowney, Mathieu

Former Texans general manager Brian Gaine‘s firing shouldn’t be attributed to his inability to sign Jadeveon Clowney, writes Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. We heard last week that the former executive had made “zero” progress on an extension for the former number-one pick, and a lack of development may have played a role in his firing.

However, Breer said there wasn’t any organizational disagreement over the handling of Clowney. The team was interested in signing the linebacker on their terms, and they were content opting for the franchise tag. For what it’s worth, we learned earlier today that Clowney is not expected to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp. The three-time Pro Bowler has yet to sign the franchise tender as he continues to push for a multiyear pact.

So what was the main reason for Gaine’s firing? Breer points to a lack of “fit” and “alignment,” as the former general manager didn’t share the same vision as head coach Bill O’Brien. Furthermore, the reporter believes the team’s current pursuit of Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio also played a role in the decision.

Let’s check out some more notes out of Houston, all via Breer…

  • Speaking of Caserio, his relationship with O’Brien and executive vice president of team development Jack Easterby could play a role in him leaving New England. There’s been a perception that Caserio wouldn’t leave the Patriots, but the reporter points out that the executive had been closing to leaving before (he considered taking the Dolphins’ gig in 2014). Breer wonders if the Texans could also look to Patriots college scouting director Monti Ossenfort or former Patriots executive (and current Falcons assistant GM) Scott Pioli for the role.
  • There also wasn’t an organizational disagreement over the handling of Tyrann Mathieu. The team recognized that the Pro Bowl safety had lofty monetary demands, and they never intended to go as far as the three-year, $42MM deal he received from the Chiefs this offseason. Meanwhile, the coaching staff has been happy with Gaine’s replacement for Mathieu, Tashaun Gipson.
  • Following Gaine’s signing of a five-year extension in 2018, the majority of his moves have actually been lauded by the front office and coaching staff. Breer points to the one-year deal for Mathieu, and he also notes the general manager’s ability to add productive rookies (receiver Keke Coutee and safety Justin Reid) in the 2018 draft despite not having a first- or second-rounder. While his inability to add a competent offensive line in front of Deshaun Watson certainly played a role in his firing, Breer opines that the forced trade of Duane Brown wasn’t the GM’s decision.
  • The Texans coaching staff has been happy with second-round offensive tackle Max Scharping and third-round tight end Kahale Warring. They’re also a “big fan” of first-rounder Tytus Howard. However, many pundits believe the Howard selection was a bit of a reach, and Breer wonders if O’Brien and Easterby’s Patriots’ philosophy clashed with Gaine’s eventual decision (as the two would have preferred trading back).

Texans Finalize Draft Class Deals

Another team has completed its rookie contracts. Third-round tight end Kahale Warring represented the final piece of that puzzle for the Texans.

Warring joins the other six Houston 2019 draftees, four of which coming from non-power-conference schools, at Texans OTAs. The Texans are set to convene for minicamp next week, when they will see three tight ends drafted in the past two years in action.

The 6-foot-5 target joins a thin Texans tight end corps, which also houses veteran Darren Fells and 2018 third- and sixth-round picks — Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas. The latter caught four touchdown passes as a rookie. Warring hails from San Diego State, where he played three seasons. He caught 51 passes for 637 yards and eight touchdowns with the Aztecs, almost all of his relevant work coming over the past two seasons.

Here is the Texans’ 2019 draft class: