Nick Caserio and Jack Easterby have a special relationship.
The two men were both a part of the New England Patriots organization, cogs in the dynasty. Easterby’s role as a character coach was transient from 2013-18 while Caserio was there the whole time in a variety of roles from 2001-20, most recently as the director of player personnel since 2008.
Caserio and Easterby have two Super Bowl rings together from working with coach Bill Belichick and the Kraft family. More importantly, Easterby has helped Caserio outside of football.
“He’s helped me a lot I would say personally,” Caserio said. “We’ve actually dealt with some things on a personal level through the year, but he’s someone that I’ve always leaned on, I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for.”
Caserio clarified that personnel decisions will be made as a group, but also underscored that chairman and CEO Cal McNair entrusted him to make personnel decisions for the Texans.
“Any personnel decisions that will be made we’ll make as a group, but ultimately that’s a responsibility that Cal has instilled in me, is to handle the personnel side of the football operations,” said Caserio. “So, that’s the expectation moving forward.”
Texans fans have been longing for the dismissal of Easterby. However, Houston sports fans may have to come to grips with the reality that Caserio isn’t going to fire his friend.
Said Caserio: “Jack will have a role and we’ll work in conjunction with each other on a number of things for sure. But as it pertains to football decisions, those will ultimately be my decision in conjunction with the head coach once we get to that point, as well.”
In October, McNair told Texans Radio Network play-by-play voice Marc Vandermeer that Easeterby would revert back to his role as executive vice president of football operations after completing his role as interim general manager.