Report: O'Brien argued with J.J. Watt before firing
Former Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien got into verbal altercations with multiple staff members - along with arguments involving pass-rusher J.J. Watt and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver at practice - in the weeks leading up to his firing, according to the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson.
Watt expressed his frustration with the team's situation Sunday after the club fell to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
"We obviously have to do something different. Something has to change. Something has to be different. Only thing I know I can do is work harder," Watt said, per Wilson.
The star pass-rusher said on Wednesday there's no bad blood with his former coach and thanked him for his time leading the organization.
"I appreciate what Bill did here. I'm very thankful for what Bill did," Watt said, according to NFL Network's James Palmer. "I don't have ill will. I do look forward to a fresher start."
O'Brien received intense scrutiny since the season began, with much attention focused on his locker room presence.
I asked multiple players over the last 24 hours the obvious question, did Bill O’Brien lose the locker room?
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 7, 2020
Every one said: “Yes” https://t.co/m6rZp6VR1s
The Texans fired O'Brien - who served as the team's coach and general manager - on Monday following their 0-4 start to the season.
Houston won just two playoff games with O'Brien as the club's head coach.
Romeo Crennel will be the Texans' interim coach.