Before anyone could address the elephant in the room, Texans general manager Nick Caserio got out in front of the question on everyone’s mind.
“I’m almost embarrassed that I have to say anything,” Caserio said. “Honestly, I feel like Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' But I’m not leaving. There’s never really been any real substantive discussions of the sort.”
In recent days, there have been numerous reports regarding Caserio and his future with the organization.
Several NFL Insiders, including Sports Radio 610’s John McClain, have mentioned and discussed what they heard from people this off-season, specifically at the league meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, last month.
The rumor is just the latest of sorts that have involved the Texans, as they’ve had more twists and turns organizationally in recent years than an episode of the famed Soap Opera, Days of Our Lives.
Caserio, who is in year three of a six-year contract with the Texan and is heading up the most pivotal offseason and draft in franchise history, said he’s wasting no time on the rumors that tend to fly this time of year.
“Unfortunately, I think this time of year there’s a lot of information and a lot of topics that are discussed,” Caserio said. “Some are more accurate than others and I think it transcends multiple landscapes.
“Honestly, I’m almost embarrassed that I have to say anything, but I feel like I have an obligation to make that statement, really try to stay ahead of it. I don’t think there’s really anything else to talk about or to say or questions about it.”
Caserio was asked where he thought an idea like that might have come from and without hesitation, he deferred back to the media.
“You guys know more than I do,” Caserio said. “My first inclination, people are reaching out to me last week and I’m like literally laughing. So, I can’t speak for anybody else other than myself.”
For now, Caserio is focused on preparing for the draft, which begins next Thursday night.
The Carolina Panthers, who moved up from the ninth pick to No. 1 in a deal with the Chicago Bears, have been on the clock since March 15th.
As for the Texans, we’ll have to wait and see what direction the NFL rumor mill takes the latest nugget Caserio dropped Monday morning.
“We’ve received some calls actually, on the number two pick,” Caserio said. “So, I think our job responsibility is to listen and not rule anything out. I think whatever the end result is come Thursday, we’ll be prepared to go either way.”