Texans President Jamey Rootes Resigns Amid Watson Rumors, FO Turmoil

Following weeks of rumors about Deshaun Watson's future with the organization in part because of unhappiness with the front office, Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes has resigned.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news Wednesday.

Texans owner Cal McNair issued a statement on Rootes' resignation:

'We sincerely appreciate Jamey’s multiple contributions to the Texans franchise over his tenure and look forward to seeing him succeed in his new ventures. We will now build upon this foundation and move forward with a bold and unwavering commitment to winning championships, creating memorable experiences for our fans, and doing great things for Houston."

Last month, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Watson was unhappy after McNair told him "he would be involved in the [general manager] and coach hiring process and provide feedback…but then did neither in the hire of GM Nick Caserio."

The Texans hired Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach David Culley as their new head coach Jan. 29.

Schefter reported one day prior to Culley's hiring that Watson officially requested a trade from the Texans "weeks ago."

One apparent source of Watson's unhappiness is Jack Easterby, Houston's executive vice president of football operations.

Per Sports Illustrated's Greg Bishop and Jenny Vrentas, Watson told McNair after the Texans finished 4-12 that he wants the "franchise decision-makers to 'get on the same page,' ending the division created and flamed since Easterby's arrival in 2019."

Bishop and Vrentas also noted that Rootes and Easterby seemed to be at odds during the 2020 season:

"In the season's final weeks, Easterby's relationships with the business side of the Texans' operations also frayed. One person was surprised to see him sidling up to Rootes, the team president, at one of the later home games, despite a relationship that many of the same sources considered frosty. 'There's something going on with Jack and Jamey,' the person who saw them told a coworker. After the season, multiple sources heard that Rootes was considering resigning."

The Texans hired Easterby in April 2019 after he spent six seasons as a character coach for the New England Patriots.

Rootes was one of the first employees in Texans history when they hired him in 2000, two years before the franchise's inaugural season. His responsibilities have primarily been on the business end of the organization.

Prior to working with the Texans, Rootes served as president and general manager of the Columbus Crew in MLS from 1995 to 2000.