Texans: Eric Bieniemy or bust in hopes of Deshaun Watson staying

Is hiring Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as the next head coach of the Texans the only way to keep Deshaun Watson in Houston? The Houston Texans are the last remaining team in the NFL without a head coach. Somehow, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is still on the market.

There were seven available head coaching jobs in the NFL this offseason, and a lot of folks in and around the NFL were left wondering how Bieniemy did not secure one of the open positions despite all of his recent success with the league’s most dynamic offense in Kansas City. The Texans are in a position to hire Bieniemy if they wish to do so, and they need to get it done as soon as possible if they want their star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, on their team next season.

Watson, who is coming off a stellar season despite the team finishing 4-12, is currently unhappy with the Texans front office for ignoring his initial recommendation to interview Bieniemy for the head coaching job, and also the manner in which new general manager Nick Caserio was hired a few weeks ago.

Texans have failed to keep their promises

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Texans owner Cal McNair had multiple conversations with Watson throughout the 2020 regular season, and during the offseason, encouraging the franchise QB that he would be involved in the decision making process for the team’s next general manager and head coach. Instead, Watson was on vacation in Mexico when he learned Caserio was hired as GM via social media. This did not sit well with the star quarterback, and he is concerned this act of disregard for his opinion on the team’s personnel will play a role in who the team hires as it’s next head coach.

Although Deshaun Watson has not formally asked for a trade, it is very alarming to see multiple reports surfacing that the Texans first legitimate franchise quarterback in team history is disgruntled. The Texans have made a lot of questionable decisions as an organization, such as trading wide receiver Deandre Hopkins last April, and they certainly cannot afford to lose Deshaun Watson.

How can Houston salvage relationship with Watson?

Cal McNair needs to do everything in his power to keep Watson happy, and this includes hiring Eric Bieniemy as the team’s next head coach. Not only was Bieniemy endorsed by Watson, but he is clearly qualified for the position, and is the overwhelming favorite of the fans (you want to sell tickets, right?)

As of right now, Houston plans to bring in Bieniemy for a second interview after the Chiefs play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55 in a couple weeks. However, the team already brought in Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for a second interview, as well as Ravens assistant head coach David Culley, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Since the Bills and Ravens are already eliminated from the playoffs, the Texans could hire either of these candidates right away. Neither of these candidates are bad choices, but let’s be honest, are either of them going to convince Deshaun Watson to stay in Houston? The answer is no. The only shot Houston has at keeping Watson is to hire Bieniemy as soon as he is available. The future and direction of this organization is entirely dependent on one man: Eric Bieniemy.