After the Houston Texans fired Brian Gaine last week, they expressed interest in pursuing Nick Caserio, the director of player personnel of the New England Patriots. The Texans even asked permission from the Patriots to interview Caserio, who has been with the team since 2008 as a reliable front office man for head coach Bill Belichick in pursuing quality players who will help the team wins. However, the Texans might have crossed the line in pursuing Caserio as the Patriots filed tampering charges against Houston, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

In a tweet, Schefter said the Patriots accused the Texans of tampering in their effort to lure Caserio away from New England, according to his sources.

Schefter said the NFL is now gathering relevant informant to open its investigation against the Texans. As part of their evidence, ProFootballTalk reported that the Patriots submitted photos, videos, and other proof of interactions between Texans executive Jack Easterby and Caserio during New England’s Super Bowl ring ceremony last Thursday. Easterby was a familiar personality with the Patriots as he served as character coach for six seasons before joining the Texans. The Texans fired Gaine one day after the Patriots received their Super Bowl rings, the sixth for both Belichick and veteran quarterback Tom Brady.

According to the NFL rules, any interference or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with that club or with the NFL constitutes tampering. Last season, the Texans also tried to hire Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort, but the Patriot thwarted Houston’s attempt to lure two of their most important front office personnel.

Patriots should give Caserio a promotion

Doug Kyed of NESN believes that the Patriots should give Caserio a promotion and a salary increase to ensure that he will stay in New England. Kyed said Caserio could probably be interested in the Texans’ GM position because he hasn’t turned it down. According to Kyed, the Patriots should promote Caserio as vice president of player personnel and pay him like an NFL general manager as reward for his 19-year loyalty to the team.

Kyed said the 43-year-old Caserio deserves to be promoted and paid well because he’s instrumental in the Patriots’ success.

Update on Sony Michel’s knee issues

Second-year running back Sony Michel was absent from the Patriots’ organized team activities and mandatory minicamp because he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to solve his knee issues, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Howe said Michel is expected to recover in time for training camp in the final week of July. Last season, Michel missed three regular-season games due to knee issues, but he recorded 931 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. Michel stepped up his game in the playoffs, tallying 336 yards and six scores in three postseason contests for the Patriots.
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