Bill O’Brien had a heated exchange with Houston Texans star JJ Watt during recent practice, ESPN has confirmed.
Watte said on Wednesday that he did not have a “sick will” towards O’Brien, but said he was hoping for a fresh start after the Minnesota Vikings were fired as coach / general manager after the Texans lost on Sunday.
According to ESPN and multiple reports, the incident, which also involved defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, occurred during the week in which the Pittsburgh Steelers were damaged in Winless Texans Week 3.
Textons fell to 0-4 with a loss to the Vikings last Sunday, and O’Brien was fired a day later as head coach and general manager.
Sources confirmed to ESPN that the “verbal blow in practice” occurred two weeks ago, with a source telling ESPN’s Diana Rusini that O’Brien “lost in the team.”
Romeo Cranel was named as the interim coach to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in this week’s game.
“I think there’s an energy release and excitement and we’re looking forward to going out and winning and going 1-0 up,” Watt said. “That’s our goal.”
After meeting Minnesota, Vatt said the Texans “obviously have to do something different.”
“We’re 0-4, we’re not doing what we’re doing,” Vatt, a three-year defensive player of the year, said Sunday. “Something needs to change, something needs to change.”
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