Deshaun Watson has officially asked the Texans for a trade, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Watson will have significant sway over his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause. 
The drama between the Texans and their star quarterback has been brewing for some time. In fact, Schefter hears that the trade request was actually made weeks ago, though it’s been kept under wraps until now. The Texans were hoping to smooth things out, but it seems that their hiring of new head coach David Culley, has not warmed Watson up to Houston.
Watson is reportedly interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets. The Panthers have also been mentioned as a suitor, though his interest in Carolina is unclear. The Jets and Dolphins have plenty of draft picks to work with in a deal, and it appears that the Jets’ constant state of chaos does not bother him.
The Jets may be Watson’s No. 1 choice, thanks to their hiring of former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Watson pushed the Texans to hire Saleh, but they didn’t even consider him as a part of their widespread search. The Jets would be a natural fit, given their shaky evaluation of Sam Darnold. The Dolphins fit is a little less clear, since Tua Tagovailoa projects as their starter in 2021. In theory, the two teams could engineer a blockbuster for the ages that would send the Alabama star to Houston.
Watson is signed through 2025, thanks to his recent four-year extension. Worth $39MM annually, the contract is worth $177.54MM in total with nearly $111MM in guaranteed money.
Imagine trading Deandre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson in back-to-back off seasons. Please, Cal, sell the damn team to someone that won’t self sabotage an entire franchise.
For the sake of Texans fans, hopefully they’ll get a fair deal for Watson instead of the horrible return for Hopkins.
Bill is gone so likely won’t happen
It wasn’t only Bill. Easterby convinced Cal and Bill that having Hopkins around was bad for the team. Someone had to sign off on that trade.
Yeah those trades aren’t just the GM but they have a ton of say. Trading D Hop could possibly have been justified but for the return particularly taking on Johnson and his salary was one of the all time blunders. They traded off one of the west WR in football like he was hot garbage
Trading Watson isn’t a strike against him. He’s getting rid of a very entitled player who wouldn’t be a fit if he were to stay.
That’s ridiculous. Cal created this environment that has made not only Watson unhappy, but Watt hasn’t been happy. Andre Johnson has publicly called him out. The guy is unable to run a franchise.
So this disfunction all just happened since Watson signed a $156000000 contract with $73000000 guaranteed! Huh!
This started before Cal took over from his father. If anything, Cal has inherited a messy franchise. He hasn’t done much to improve it, but then again, I’m not sure that he could have undone what O’Brien created with the current roster. He does deserve complete blame for how he handled the Watson input situation, of course, but O’Brien really authored this book. The repercussions were going to last. As far as “signing off” on the trade goes, well, we really can’t blame McNair for that. He’s an owner. Owners need to trust their football people. The football people dropped the ball, almost literally. McNair had also just inherited the team after his father’s death, so it’s not like he was an experienced owner who was used to contradicting his GM.
From this point on, though, the onus is on Cal to fix it-we’ll see if it gets better or worse from here on out.
Seems like Jets have come up often in speculation…where does everyone think he’ll end up?
My guess is the Jets.
49ers, for Jimmy G and picks and then flip Jimmy G to NE for another pick
I think they should try to get him to the NFC but I don’t think G and a first is bear enough. It’s going to take a boat load. Maybe G and A 1st plus another top player or pick
This dude evidently has no clue how much of a joke the Jets franchise is…. I say good luck buddy.
Exactly! If he thinks Houston ownership is dysfunctional….the Jets make the Texans look like a model franchise!
Maybe he shouldn’t have signed an extension if he didn’t want to play there. He’s been a very likable guy. Please don’t become an entitled NBA player Deshaun.
I’m with you…. I have always liked him, and if I was starting a franchise he’d be my first pick… but man, I can’t help but think he’s being too soft. He’s got $40 mil a year…
I see it from both sides. Yeah he signed the contract extension, but Hopkins was still on the team then, with seemingly no reason to trade him, never mind for the pathetic return they got for him. Then they tell him they want his input in hiring the GM and head coach, and don’t even consult him. He has a good reason to want out.
Watson signed his extension after the Hopkins trade.
How is he entitled? The Texans front office has destroyed the team. This was an elite, playoff team a very short time ago. They allowed BOB to destroy it, then asked for Watson’s input in hiring the next coach, then totally ignored his suggestions (two guys that every other team with an opening interviewed).
I’m not a Texans fan and don’t even care about them, but it’s crazy to see people sticking up for their trainwreck of a front office.
Not sticking up for the Texans – they ARE a train wreck – but players throwing tantrums and holding their breath when they don’t get to pick their own coaches is just getting really old. Maybe Watson wants to go to NY so he and Harden can be together.
Well my perspective is … don’t trade him, let the overpaid crybaby sit out. See how he likes that. How about someone fulfill the obligation of the contract that they signed? For once , I’d like to see an owner say , oh well then? We will move on , next man up ! Thanks for the refund , kiss my azz!
I agree with the sentiment against appearing entitled. but to the contract point, he made 1.7 mill in 2019 with top 5 stats. We dont know what was said around the camp fire, but he does have to look out for himself and family too. going from 1.7 to 29.3 million. I think that’s a raise anyone would take. now yes future wise, that AAV does hamstring a team for other gaps to fill but, they made the offer.
Texans have sway as well. They can simply deny trading him to his preferred choice. If they get a better offer from say Vegas or Detroit, they can say your going there or nowhere.
Trading him for an appropriate return is what is best for the Texans organization. They are a dumpster fire that will not compete as is. Get a return of 3 first round picks and a QB who can lead the team to last place finish for a few years while they rebuild.
Don’t waste Watson’s prime years in Houston!
If a team trades 3 1st round picks, then that’s 3 more years of his prime wasted right?
Your point would be valid if Watson didn’t have this little thing called a no trade clause. Nobody is going to give up the kind of assets it will take to get him just to take the Texans unenviable position of having a Star Quarterback who doesn’t want to be there. He is going to end up where he wants to end up. The Texans have very little leverage unless he expands his list of preferred destinations.
Texans can say no if the offer isn’t good. Nothing wrong with that. If the Jets offer 2 1st’s, and Detroit offers 3, why should they give up an extra pick just to make Watson happy?
Well if he says “I’m not going to wave my no trade clause to go to Detroit” it really doesn’t matter if they offer 10 first round picks. It’s really not brain surgery here.
Then he sits and gets fined. Texans have the checkbook.
“Then he sits and gets fined.”
Meanwhile, the Texans don’t acquire any compensation or reap the benefits of Watson’s QB play
and they hold his cap number which is $15M in 2021 then $39M in 2022. He has all the leverage. They can fine him but not trading him hurts the team very much. They are $17M over to start this years cap. Watson doesn’t need money. So, Texans need him more than he needs them. Also, bad optics. You think players want to go to Houston seeing everything that has happened the last 2 years and now how they have treated their best player with lies and false promises to create a sense of fake influence.
Let the selfish azz sit on the couch
Or he can sandbag it on the field. They still have to pay him.
he can have a soft tissue injury, not play, and get paid.
So you think they should choose nothing instead of 2 first round picks just to “not make him happy”?
Its a divorce, gonna be ugly. But the Texans do not have to cater to Watson’s wants vs their needs.
If you were a GM would you give up extra picks or players to make your ticked off player happy? Doesn’t make sense.
They gave up that leverage when they gave him a no trade clause
The no trade clause is meaningless. If Watson refuses to play for the team the Texans choose, then he can sit & be fined.
Using Detroit, if they offer 2 1sts (Stafford trade for the 2nd one) and their #3 CB drafted last year, the Texans can accept it. if Watson says no to Detroit, then he is still a Texan. But don’t think the player, any player, has leverage over franchises.
Again the point sails over your head. What gm is going to trade multiple first round picks for a player he is going to have to fine for not showing up?! That’s even ignoring the part where HE HAS A NO TRADE CLAUSE and can void any trade to a team he doesn’t want to go to. So none of your scenarios have any merit whatsoever.
He has a no trade clause.
dude has a no trade clause. next theory. (also, you’re)
A little over 1 year ago the Texans were up 24-0 vs the Chiefs in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Smh what a dumpster fire.
crazy when you put it in that perspective…dumpster is correct for sure
For an overall Houston sports perspective – since the 8th inning of the the 2019 ws Houston has lost a WS, blew a 24 point lead, fired 3 GMs, fired 3 coaches, traded one of the best scorers of all time, had one of the best pitchers of this era get TJ, traded the best WR in football for nothing, and now going to lose a franchise QB in the middle of his prime.
You should really backdate your analysis to 9/1/19, so that you can include the king’s ransom they gave up for Tunsil.
Wait, the request came weeks ago? I’ll take “Captain Obvious” for $600, Alex.
“Kept under wraps”??? What is schefter’s definition of “keeping something under wraps?”
Let me be sure I understand this. He signed a huge contract with the team and has been accepting there money. Now he wants to not honor that contract he signed with the team. He wants out and traded, but only to certain teams. But he expects his money paid to him.
I’d say screw you- your under contract. We won’t trade you. Show up and play, retire, hold out…. whatever you decide.
*their money and you’re* under contract. Your plan of saying “screw you” would be a disaster on many different levels. The Texans could jump start the rebuild they are in desperate need of by playing their cards right. Your plan of alienating and making one of the leagues top stars even more upset would result in setting the franchise back years, while angering the fan base and making no free agent ever want to come sign there ever again. Thankfully for Texans fans you aren’t calling the shots.
You can definitely say that, I’m sure it would lead to great success on the field. Why do players need to honor their contracts but owners don’t? When he signed vs now are two different times in this franchise history. You also don’t know what lies he was fed to sign that deal. The front office and sidelines completely changed. If he was promised input and they just gave him lip service, you don’t think that’s justification for wanting out? If I’m investing my future and the prime of my career based on something you said I would have, to only turn out to be a lie, I would want out too. Ownership can play hardball and force him to stay…give me one example in history where that worked out. I’ll wait
still cant fathom why he wants to go to the Jets over the Fins.
His ego is searching for the biggest stage out there.
Saleh being the coach probably has something to do with it
When was the last time Watson underwent a drug test? The Jets are as much a disaster as the Texans and a defensive HC coach isn’t going to benefit him. Did he not notice how the New York media crucified Gase when he failed to live up to expectations? It’s going to be out of the frying pan and into the fire if Watson joins the Jets.
Breaking news!
Keyword…request. Yeah, that’s a no from me dawg. Gonna need you here at the start of OTA’s or you’re gonna be fined. Retire? Cool…gimme back that signing bonus and be broke. Or, shut up, show up, and show out. Play your contract out, play under the franchise tag a year or two, and hit free agency at 31-32 years old and leave. My god, how bad is it to make 40 million a year in Houston Texas? What QB ever had gotten to pick the GM and/or coach? I’ll hang up and listen.
So your plan is to hold a disgruntled franchise QB hostage? If I’m Watson, then maybe my counter plan is to throw the ball to the defense 4 times a game. Are you going to bench me?
The Texans created this mess. They’re a dumpster fire. That leadership is literally a joke. They deserve what they get.
LOL, good plan. Play terribly for four years. That’ll get all the teams lining up for you. I’ve been disgruntled for 15 years and still show up and do my job for significantly less than 40 mil. It’s called professionalism. Besides, they’ll never get equal value trading him so why cave to his “demands”?
Teams know the deal here, though. It wouldn’t need to last for 4 years, either. Maybe one, tops.
He can also just go the route and say, “I’ve got this pain in my back.”
You also can’t really compare your situation to his, unless you have a job where only one company in the world does said job, and you’re signed to a contract. Even then, it’s an imperfect comparison.
lol, you think this will go on 4 years. Even better, if it plays out as you suggest watson will have received 160 million dollars. Do you think he will need teams lining up for him? You being disgruntled at whatever job you have is not comparable. Professional you say? Is it professional to lie to your employees? So you would rather be a petulant child and hold him hostage rather than shipping him out for a monster haul of draft capital that can replenish all the wasted picks from the previous regime? The lions did that to Barry Sanders…how’d that work out for them? You have a qb that doesn’t want to play for you, you think he’s going to play through injury? You don’t think that negativity will spread in the locker room and translate to the field? You think you will improve your brand that way? What free agents will want to sign with an organization that cares more about proving a point than putting a winner on the field?
Yes. To everything you just said. Because if I was a billionaire, I’d stand by my principles even more. Stop catering to the need of every prima donna athlete and make them talk to you face to face. Like men do. Not cry through your agent or the media. And if the guys in that locker room let Watson off the hook for faking an injury or intentionally playing poorly than you’ve got a much bigger problem than one guy.
Finally some competition in the east
Go Jets
Jets
“Watson will have significant sway over his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause.”
He doesn’t hold any sway. The Texans don’t have to trade him so that gives him zero leverage. Want to sit out or retire? Go right ahead Deshaun…he’ll save the Texans a heap of money during a rebuild and torpedo his own career. You want out? Drop your NTC or pound sand. If Mcnair allows Watson to strong arm him on this matter then he really is the dumbest owner in sports.
Yes, I’m sure further alienating him and receiving no on the field return for his talent will do a world of good for an organization that is in desperate need of direction and talent. It’s not like they’re looking unappealing enough to any potential free agents. You don’t have to cater to the guy’s every single demand, but it’d be worse to fumble this situation all together than try to work with the guy on a resolution.
The fact is that Deshaun Watson has a whole lot more to lose by sitting out or retiring then the Texans do in a similar situation. He loses that stare down every time because he wouldn’t dare do either of those with that contract and in the prime of his career.
Memories are short in 2021 and free agents will still come to Houston when the right money is offered. You don’t let a player demand a trade AND let them select which team they’re traded to.
By the way, what you describe sounds like reasonable compromise. I love that approach in theory but Watson has shown no willingness to compromise…at least not yet.
“He loses that stare down every time” except that never happens. Literally 0% of the time. I am sure you were saying the same thing about James Harden a few weeks ago. Did he “lose that stare down” too? Give me a break.
sit out or retire? maybe he’ll have a soft tissue “injury” and not be “able” to play. not saving any money in that case.
How are people defending the Houston franchise?! Like really?! They did this. If you think Watson can’t force his way out, you’re going to be surprised.
How they handle this will also speak volumes to Free Agents. They hold Deshaun hostage, they either better be real good at drafting or get used to losing. You’ll get FA scraps with no other options, basically.
Jets are rebuilding, can they afford Watson?
How would he fit in their revbuild and and what is he return to the Texans. I don’t think the Jets have much to offer per se
Eagles could trade Wentz for Watson, at least the contracts sorta match
When aren’t the Jets rebuilding? Texans would be looking for draft capital in any trade and Jets could provide that. How do you propose the Eagles convince Watson they have a black HC?
@Crosseye
Well Watson thrived under Dabney
What is the real problem with Watson these days? Is it really about having a black HC?
Jets have 4 picks in the first 2 rounds, Darnold, and I think about $60 million in cap space
@Erawk
They don’t have much in the way of proven players. Plus, I thought contracts had to match up
Agreed, they have one or two good to great players and a lot of blah.
In the NBA contracts have to match, not the NFL (that’s why players get traded for picks all the time).
Rebuilding since 1969 !!!
@Chris
Ha! they had some decent teams in the 80’s and when Herm Edwards coached them
Dolphins:
Tua, #3 overall pick, #18 overall pick, 2022 first round pick and 2022 fourth overall pick for Watson and a 2021 fourth round pick
Dolphins get Watson who makes that offence a whole lot better plus a 4th later in the draft.
Texans aren’t getting a better offer. Tua is a great fit and pick up for them. Plus they get a top pick this draft which they can put into their defence or take Penei Sewell and with Tunsil have a solid o line. Texans should also have money to spend in FA I think Watt and Fuller will both leave which leaves two holes but this teams timeline isn’t win now, it’s a quick rebuild and let’s go
Have the Dolphins offered the deal that you just mentioned? I believe that was the suggestion/speculation the ESPN writer mentioned.
With regards to Fuller & Watt; this is the 1st season Fuller played the most games since he’s been with the team. THANK YOU PED’s! Watt still has a few good years left and wouldn’t blame him if he went elsewhere.
This year, Watson was sacked 49 times despite the “solid O-Line”. 5 more times than in 2019. Yes, they need help on the O-Line; but their secondary is horrible, ranking 25th (overall defense 19th).
The Dolphins would be IDIOTS to make this trade. Sure Watson is better than Tua at this point but he couldn’t take Houston to the play-offs and they had a better offense in Houston. So now you want to throw Watson on the Dolphins with a rebuilt line and injury prone receivers like Parker and Grant? On top of that the Dolphins have been waiting years to have this much draft capital and you want to piss it all away in a trade? No thanks…. Let’s trade everything away so we can have a crappy offense with Watson.
He has a no trade clause…
He can be fined by the team if so chooses to sit out. But all the fines combined, would be less than the $39M he is set to earn. Because $111m of his contract is guaranteed, they would still have to pay him the balance until they have fined and/or paid him.
The team still pays him, takes a hit on the salary cap, and get absolutely nothing for him. When the process began, Cal asked for his input and said he would like Watson to provide feedback to the group. Cal also hired a search firm to help with the GM & HC; spending hundreds of thousands. He didn’t use the info when hiring the GM, which is his choice of how he spends his money. But if you weren’t going to use anyone’s input you asked for, then don’t ask.
He is the absolute worst owner in the league. He doesn’t do much to encourage the fan base. I feel the new GM will do fine after this crap storm Cal and Easterby (sp) created. The team is truly an out of control dumpster fire.
Do the Patriots strike?
So much space, maybe flip one of Sony/Harry/Stidham and then 2 firsts?
While I’d welcome Watson in NE, I don’t think that’s enough.
I think NE ends up with one of: JimmyG, Rodgers, Stanford, Wentz or Watson tho.
Professional sports are out of control. I’m taking my dollars elsewhere. Maybe Deshaun can buy his own team along with other privileged players. 39 million a year. Got his feelings hurt. Tough day at the office. Maybe we could spend that 39 million on school teachers who could help thousands of kids prepare for more opportunities. That 39 million dollars could fix a lot of problems at HISD. Each year.
I totally agree….. the money and dealing with whiny spoiled players…..
It will be interesting to see how much they want in return…..
Jets need to go all in for Watson. Darnold, Quinnin Williams, Becton, #2 pick and 2022 #1 pick.
You were just robbed. I love Mahomes, and I wouldn’t make that trade for him. I’m not a fan of Darnold, but if the Texans stuck with him, they could trade that #2 for probably multiple #1s.
Who needs a ride to the airport?
I can’t imagine a Miami deal not being made. No one else has a #5 pick that can be let go without missing him. The Texans start off the trade by getting their starting QB for the next four years.
So that is Tua + Sewell + at least two other high picks. Even if Watson wasn’t demanding a trade, that is still a really good haul.
Dolphins would be idiots to make this trade. They worked hard to get this many picks and you all want them to piss it all away… Watson had a better offense in Houston and couldn’t take them to the play-offs. Miami’s defense played well but they have no offensive weapons except their TE and a line that started 3 rookies last year. Tua wasn’t given a fair shake at all and people are so quick to get rid of him…No camp, rookie line, started mid season, no weapons at WR lol
Trade him to Detroit for Stafford.
Not going to call him spoiled, but I am tired of athletes complaining and requesting trades when things aren’t going well, especially right after they sign an extension. This disfunction is not new so he was aware of it prior to signing that deal. He can request all he wants but they cannot trade him without getting a young QB and picks
So if team says no and he sits and doesn’t play , are they obligated to pay him ? Who knows ?
Jets
Darnold, #2, 2022 1st (whoever is higher of Jets or Seattle), 2 3rds (2021 3rd), 2 4ths (2021 4th)
Best deal out there.
Trade back from #2 and acquire more draft assets.
Only way out of this is to use the #2 pick to recoup your lost draft capital.
Build through the draft. No other way around it.
Let Miami and Jets outbid each other since they’re in the same division.
What about the Falcons and Texans trade the Falcons trade Matt Ryan and two second-round draft picks to Houston for Deshaun Watson
FWIW…8 of the Texans’ 12 losses were by less than a touchdown.
Cal McNair couldn’t lead a trip to the bathroom…but they may not suck as bad as everyone thinks they do.
I’ve never been a Watson fan, but it is management that is the problem. The players see it as there being no good future there.
Watson was lied to; I’d be mad, too. The owner is an idiot.
Once trust is broken….I’d want out, too
People in Houston are talking about Harden 2.0. This is NOTHING like James Harden. That dude called the shots, got his friends in, then kicked his friends out, and when his FO finally said his ideas weren’t working, he dogged it until he got traded.
Watson was completely alienated by an inept FO, starting with BOB. Is his input required for GM/Coach? No. But when you have a dude who’s that good, you at least TRY to look like you care about his opinion. Now Cal has to trade the 2nd best thing that’s ever happened to the franchise, and a potential HOFer because he thinks he knows football. The McNairs are trash. Cal, sell the Texans so Houston can cheer for a REAL team. You’re the worst. Worse than McLane. Worse than McMullen. Worse than Bud Adams.
Not fair. McNairs are good people and brought football back to Houston with class. Watson and Hardin are the same in regards to feeling entitled. Watson is entitled to sign or to not sign. He is also entitled to try to buy his own team. But once he signed he is an athlete under contract presumably to play his very best and to be the leader that he was paid to me.
Who wears a watch while they play catch? That’s weird, man.
Now I hear Rodgers wants out of GB.
What if all the owners and all the QBs met somewhere, the owners threw their keys in a bowl, and whoever’s keys the QB draws is who he goes home with?
What about the Falcons and Texans trade the Falcons trade Matt Ryan and two second-round draft picks to Houston for Deshaun Watson