Houston Texans' Nick Caserio Praises DeMeco Ryans for Early Success: Bye Week Notebook

As the franchise enters the bye week with a winning record, general manager Nick Caserio expressed his admiration and appreciation for coach DeMeco Ryans.

HOUSTON — For the first time since taking over as general manager, the Houston Texans have registered a winning record six games into the season under Nick Caserio.

The Texans improved to 3-3 following Sunday's 20-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Caserio hired the personnel and either signed or drafted players responsible for Houston's early season success. But entering the bye week, Caserio refuses to take any credit for the Texans' improvements in 2023.

"Credit to the coaching staff, players and scouting staff — they have all done a really great job," Caserio said. "I think everyone has an important job within an organization. Whatever your role is, you just perform it to the best of your ability and try to be the best version of yourself."

Although he may not want to take credit, Caserio had his most successful offseason as general manager.

He drafted a pair of franchise cornerstones with the draft selections of C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. Caserio also built a solid roster around his two rookies with veteran free agents who have played a vital role in the Texans' success, both on and off the field.

But when it comes to the job of coach DeMeco Ryans, Caserio displayed an abundance of admiration. He made his third coaching hire in January with the hopes of laying the groundwork towards "sustainable success" in Houston.

The two respective parties speak every day. Caserio described working with Ryans as "outstanding" due to his consistency, energy and sincerity. His attitude for the game have changed the locker room, instilling a winning mentality within the players.

"DeMeco is everything we hoped and thought he would be," Caserio said. "As good of a coach he is, DeMeco is an even better person. Players love playing for him, and players want to be here. 

"He tells the truth. He keeps it real. Players respect him. I have a lot of respect, appreciation and admiration for him. And it has only grown over these last months we have been together."

Texans general manager Nick Caserio walks on the sideline prior to the game between the Houston Cougars and the West Virginia Mountaineers at TDECU Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Will the Texans be buyers at the trade deadline?: Caserio and Ryans have stated that they will always take advantage of an opportunity to improve the team. And with the NFL trade deadline two weeks away, Caserio will have several important decisions to make with the ongoing roster construction.

There are moves the Texans can make to improve their chances of making a postseason push. Caserio revealed that Houston's .500 start will not impact potential roster moves at the deadline. 

But the third-year general manager publicized that Houston has a "pretty good working budget" to add talent if the opportunity presents itself. The Texans have a projected $5.0 million available in cap space. 

"If there's somebody externally that we think can come in here and really have a defined role and have an impact, then we'll certainly look into that," Caserio said. "If there's not, then we won't...Whatever happens at the trade deadline happens at the trade deadline. 

"Over the last couple weeks, there's been a handful of trades that have taken place. There may have been basically six, seven flips or late-round picks, really for nothing. If there's a player that maybe fits that bill, fits that category, we'll look at it. If there's not, then we won't do anything."

Caserio impressed by Stroud: When Caserio took over as general manager in January 2021, he never got to work alongside former Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson, who requested a trade soon after his hiring.

An unrepairable relationship with Watson forced Caserio to shuffle through four different starting quarterbacks, but year three of his tenure marked the arrival of Stroud.

The former Ohio State prospect is having a historic start to his pro career. Stroud has completed 59.6 percent of his pass attempts for 1,660 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.

Caserio credits Stroud's work ethic for his superb start, with his confidence, demeanor and belief. He isn't surprised by Stroud's success. But Caserio believes Stroud is evidence of executing Ryans' message of showing up and doing your job while having the right mindset.

"He cares a lot," Caserio said. "He has a lot of pride, and he wants to go out there and perform well and do the best thing and the right thing for the team, and he's shown the propensity to do that. I think from really May until August, you saw growth and development, and then we've seen growth and development from Baltimore to New Orleans, whoever we played last week."