Deshaun Watson, newly fired Brian Flores want to work together

As the Giants focus on filling one big hole, a potential joint solution to the other two holes is starting to take shape.

Brian Flores – perhaps the hottest item on the head coach market – and Texas defender Deshaun Watson are interested in teaming up in 2022, as first reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz and endorsed by The Post. Flores was fired by the Dolphins last week after going 19-14 in two of his last three seasons. Flores wants his next shot at being head coach to be with a healthy midfielder, like him. deal with below average game from Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.

Join the Giants, who represent the home of Brooklyn-born Flores and offer midfield more flexibility than most of the other seven positions as Daniel Jones is likely in the final year of his contract. Jones’ $8.3 million salary cap will be split between the two teams if he is traded.

Most of the first seven candidates interviewed to become Giants general manager had Flores on their shortlist, a source told The Post. Interest is a two-way street and Flores also has an eye on the giants, sources said. One potential stumbling block would be the Giants’ dressing room tired of some of the Patriots-esque principles installed by former head coach Joe Judge, and Flores being cut out of a similar pattern.

The Giants have two more interviews coming up Monday, with 49ers executives Ran Carthon and Adam Peters. Peters and Flores began working as scouts in the Patriots organization in the early 2000s before Flores became a coach and Peters attended the future GM.

But Watson is a completely different story. Even if he is open to going to the Giants, it is unclear if that interest will be reciprocated as Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits filed by women alleging sexual misconduct. .

The Giants are still reeling from the 2016 incident when striker Josh Brown was allowed to stay on the team after admitting his arrest on domestic violence allegations led to him being handed a one-game suspension by the NFL. Brown was later released with an admission from ownership that the team was “wrong” in the way they handled their relationship with the starter.

The easiest destination for the Watson-Flores couple seems to be Houston.

The Texans interviewed Flores for their vacancy. He and GM Nick Caserio have a long patriotic relationship. And Watson is already on the list, while other teams will have to find the right deal for a 26-year-old Pro Bowler, whose future readiness is tied to the possibility of possible criminal charges. at some point in time.

But, in that case, Watson would have to be willing to withdraw the commercial claim stemming from a fractured relationship with Texans property rights and emerging from allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Giants haven’t started head coach interviews because they want their new GM to make that selection. The risk is that Flores, who has interviewed with the Bears and Texas, could get an offer before the Giants start looking for their coach, and he can’t wait in case the new GM is Director. Ravens player personnel Joe Hortiz, Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen or another candidate may prefer a coach from their respective networks.