Deshaun Watson Won’t Veto Many Teams, Dolphins Favorite To Land Him?
The Deshaun Watson saga will likely take at least several more twists and turns before it’s finally resolved, and we’ve got a couple of new updates to pass along. The Texans are still insisting they have no plans to trade the star quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying.
When/if the Texans finally relent to Watson’s trade demand, he does have some leverage in the form of a no-trade clause that can prevent him from getting dealt somewhere he doesn’t want to be. But it sounds like Watson’s main priority is getting out of Houston, and he won’t be too picky about a new destination. “Let me be very clear about this: I think Deshaun Watson is going to be open about where he’s traded to. I don’t think he’s going to veto too many teams. He wants to go anywhere other than the Texans,” Adam Schefter of ESPN.com said recently, via Barry Jackson and Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
That makes it sound like unlike Matthew Stafford, who reportedly wanted to go play for Sean McVay and the Rams, Watson will just be happy to be anywhere else. There was a report last week that Watson would prefer the Jets to the Dolphins, but clearly he doesn’t feel all that strongly about it. That certainly could make facilitating a deal a lot easier. Additionally, it looks like the Dolphins could be emerging as a favorite to land him despite their recent commitment to Tua Tagovailoa.
Jackson and Beasley write that the “sense among league power brokers at this week’s Senior Bowl” is that “Miami is Watson’s likeliest destination.” Going further, one source told them that “Miami is seen as the front-runner behind the scenes.” The Dolphins have a boatload of draft capital and also a young quarterback they could trade, although there have been some reports that Houston might not be that interested in Tagovailoa.
If the Texans don’t want Tua, Jackson and Beasley float a scenario where the Dolphins package picks with shutdown corner Xavien Howard, who they write is “expected to ask for a trade” if he doesn’t get the new contract that he’s seeking. There are a lot of moving parts here, and we should know a lot more soon so make sure to check back.
Latest On J.J. Watt’s Future With The Texans
Deshaun Watson may not be the only star player who could find his way out of Houston. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) there’s a “sense” that the Texans could look to move on from their star pass rusher J.J. Watt as they pivot toward a rebuild.
Following rumblings from November that the organization could look to trade the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rapoport notes that the new front office believes Watt deserves clarity on the situation. NFL Network’s James Palmer adds some fuel to that fire (on Twitter), noting that teammates and coaches believe the veteran has played his final game in Houston, with that sentiment being the general “mood in the locker room after their final game.”
With a new coaching staff and front office, things were already expected to look a whole lot different in Houston next season (even if the organization refuses to trade Watson). Considering all that Watt has done for Houston — both on the field and in the community — it’d certainly be tough to justify a trade without some explicit request.
On the flip side, one could argue that the front office should look to get whatever assets they can for the veteran, especially with the future Hall of Famer heading into the final year of his contract. With Watt being on the wrong side of 30, having never advanced past the second round of the playoffs, and being uninterested in a rebuild, the front office could find themselves losing the pass rusher for nothing next offseason. Watt is due to make $17.5MM in 2021.
This past season, Watt appeared in all 16 games for only the second time in the past five years. The 31-year-old finished the campaign having compiled 52 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pick-six.
Texans, Lovie Smith Finalize DC Deal
The Texans will move forward with former Bears and Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith as their defensive coordinator. The sides agreed to terms on a deal Friday afternoon, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
This was the expected move, and it will allow Smith to return to the NFL for the first time since the Bucs fired him following the 2015 season. Smith spent the past five seasons as head coach at the University of Illinois. He has been in Houston since Wednesday, per the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.
Smith, 62, and new Texans HC David Culley have not coached together in the pros before, but the former obviously brings many years of experience leading defenses. Smith has been a head coach or defensive coordinator at the NFL level in 15 seasons. He last served as a team’s DC with the Rams, doing so from 2001-03.
Although Smith was HC with Tampa Bay for two seasons, he is best known for his run in Chicago. The Bears built a dominant defense under Smith in the mid-2000s, riding that unit’s talents to Super Bowl XLI. Chicago ranked outside the top 20 in scoring defense in the two years prior to Smith’s arrival; the Bears were a top-three unit in 2005 and ’06 and finished as such four times during Smith’s nine-season tenure. Smith also was present for a dramatic Rams rise, overseeing the St. Louis defense’s climb from last in scoring defense in 2000 to seventh during the team’s 2001 Super Bowl season.
Smith’s Bucs defenses were not as successful. Each ranked outside the top 20. His five-season run at Illinois also ended with a 2020 firing. The Fighting Illini did not post a winning season under Smith, who is 89-87 as an NFL HC.
The Texans ranked 30th in defensive DVOA last season. Houston’s defense has struggled for a bit now, declining rapidly over the past two seasons. It is uncertain how much help the Texans’ new defensive play-caller will receive, however, with the team lacking first- and second-round draft picks (for now) and having future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt as a trade candidate.
Texans GM: “Zero Interest” In Deshaun Watson Trade
Deshaun Watson wants out. The Texans won’t blink. On Friday, Texans GM Nick Caserio and new head coach David Culley reiterated their desire to keep the quarterback in Houston. 
[RELATED: Panthers To Pursue Watson]
“Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio, pre-empting the slew of questions to come about Watson (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). “We have zero interest in trading the player..We have a great plan and vision for him. We look forward to spending more time with him.”
Caserio believes that “honest” and “forthright” communication can mend fences between the Texans and their star quarterback. Culley agreed as he backed up the GM with an even more confident declaration.
“He is a Houston Texan. I want him to be a Houston Texan,” said Culley (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). “The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he’s going to be a Houston Texan.”
Watson is interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets with a slight preference towards the Jets…or the Dolphins, depending on who you ask. The Panthers have also jumped in, less than one year after signing Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63MM deal. The Jets and Dolphins could line up especially well for a trade, given their wealth of draft capital. And, with the Dolphins, the Texans could try for a Tua Tagovailoa trade.
But, despite all of the possibilities — and Watson’s strong desire to get out of town — the Texans say he’s staying put.
Texans Officially Hire David Culley
It’s official. On Friday morning, the Texans formally announced the hiring of David Culley as their new head coach. 
[RELATED: Panthers To Pursue Watson Trade]
“Throughout his entire coaching career, David has shown an ability to lead and bring people together,” said Texans CEO Cal McNair in a statement. “David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team as somebody who has seen it all in this league. In his over 40 years of coaching, David has learned from many of the best coaches in the NFL while helping players navigate both the physical and mental side of the game. Highly regarded individuals from all over the league reached out to us throughout this process in support of David because of his unique ability to connect with those around him and his passion for the game and the relationships he creates.”
Culley spent the first 16 years of his coaching career in the college ranks before transitioning to the pros. In the NFL, the 65-year-old served as a key assistant for the Eagles, Chiefs, and Ravens. Beloved by Andy Reid and John Harbaugh, Culley came out of nowhere to win the Texans job. To some, that was a head-scratcher, but many around the league have applauded the Texans for their non-traditional hire. Of course, the list of believers includes new Houston GM Nick Caserio.
“Heading into this process, it was imperative to find a head coach that our entire organization could rally behind and David is unquestionably that leader,” Caserio said. “David’s infectious energy, passion for the game and ability to command a room was clear from the start. As he shared his vision for how a head coach should lead a football team, it further solidified our belief in him.”
Now, the bad news: Deshaun Watson still wants out. Teams have already begun circling the wagons and the Panthers may be among the most “aggressive” suitors.
Texans Plan To Hire Pep Hamilton As QBs Coach
A candidate for a few offensive coordinator positions, Pep Hamilton will instead join David Culley‘s first staff in Houston. The Texans are hiring the former Colts OC as their quarterbacks coach, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
Hamilton spent the 2020 season as the Chargers’ QBs coach but received interest from three AFC teams for their respective OC posts. The Dolphins, Steelers and Titans interviewed Hamilton for those jobs. While two remain unfilled — Miami’s and Tennessee’s — Hamilton is expected to head to Houston.
The Texans are moving swiftly in filling out Culley’s first staff. They are eyeing ex-Bears and Buccaneers HC Lovie Smith for a defensive role and have current reserve quarterback Josh McCown in mind for an offensive position. McCown interviewed for Houston’s HC job but may well begin his coaching career as a Texans assistant.
Hamilton, 46, was Indianapolis’ OC from 2013-15. The Colts made the playoffs twice in that span, with the latter season featuring Andrew Luck leading the NFL with 40 touchdown passes. This past season, Hamilton mentored Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite Justin Herbert. The other two high-ranking Bolts staffers behind Herbert’s rise, Anthony Lynn and Shane Steichen, respectively landed OC gigs with Detroit and Philadelphia. Hamilton appears set to land on his feet as well.
The Dolphins have seen each of the external candidates for their OC post commit elsewhere. Clemson OC Tony Elliott will not leave the ACC program, Mike McDaniel received a promotion to become the 49ers’ OC, and the Steelers promoted Matt Canada to their OC position.
Panthers To Pursue Deshaun Watson Trade
Even if the Texans have not let it be known they are serious about trading Deshaun Watson, there will be a number of teams who show interest in the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Count the Panthers as one of them.
The rebuilding NFC South squad is planning to make an “aggressive” pursuit for Watson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). Carolina joins Miami and the Jets as teams closely connected to a potential run at Watson, though it is not yet known if the Panthers would appeal to Watson.
Watson holds a no-trade clause and is believed to be interested in both AFC East destinations. Both the Jets and Dolphins hold two 2021 first-round picks, which will increase their respective abilities to put together trade packages. The Panthers have, however, been mentioned as a suitor recently. Watson’s long-rumored trade request became fully known Thursday.
Regional appeal could seemingly be in play regarding a Watson-Carolina fit. The franchise quarterback is a Georgia native who played four seasons at Clemson in South Carolina. The NFL’s North Carolina-based franchise has a low-end franchise-QB salary on its books, after it signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year deal worth $63MM, but Bridgewater presumably would not impede the Matt Rhule-run squad from going after Watson.
When asked about Watson recently, new Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said the team will “be in on every deal,” per ESPN.com’s David Newton (on Twitter). The Panthers being an NFC team may have appeal to the Texans, who would surely prefer — if they were to trade Watson — to make a deal with an out-of-conference franchise rather than be forced to see Watson frequently in the coming years.
The Panthers reside in the middle of the pack when it comes to cap space, and thanks to Bridgewater’s $33MM in full guarantees, they would take a bit of a dead-money hit if they released or traded him. A player of Watson’s caliber would certainly supersede any near-future dead-money concerns for a franchise that recently gave HC Matt Rhule a seven-year contract. Watson’s $39MM-per-year deal runs through the 2025 season.
The team also has talented skill-position cogs Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson under contract for at least two more seasons — assuming Moore’s fifth-year option is picked up come May. Carolina will also be connected to quarterback prospects with its No. 8 overall pick. That selection, the Panthers’ 2022 first-rounder and likely more would be required in an offer for Watson.
Texans Eyeing Lovie Smith, Josh McCown For Staff
The Texans’ quarterback situation is in flux, but their staff is coming together, at least. After agreeing to hire David Culley as their new head coach, the Texans are now eyeing former Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith and longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown for assistant coaching roles (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com). 
[RELATED: Deshaun Watson Officially Requests Trade]
Smith seems to be the team’s leading candidate for the defensive coordinator vacancy. McCown, meanwhile, would help out on the other side of the ball, though it doesn’t sound like he’d jump straight to offensive coordinator. That job, barring any changes, will continue to be occupied by offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. Kelly has drawn interest from around the league, but the Texans have denied every interview request.
McCown & Co. will have the unenviable task of remaking the offense without Deshaun Watson under center. The Texans were hoping to work things out, but his mind is made up — the QB wants a trade, and he appears to be targeting the Jets or Dolphins as his landing spot. Watson is uniquely positioned to dictate his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause.
On defense, the Texans could do the unthinkable and part ways with edge rusher J.J. Watt. The face of the franchise has one year to go on his deal with a $17.5MM cap hit. If the Texans are truly looking to reboot things, they could trade their two biggest stars to replenish their depleted draft stock.
Texans’ Deshaun Watson Requests Trade
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.
Texans To Hire David Culley
The Texans have their new head coach. Former Ravens assistant head coach David Culley has accepted Houston’s offer, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
[RELATED: Deshaun Watson Requests Trade]
For Culley, it’s the high point of an incredible run up the coaching ladder. The 65-year-old started his coaching career at FCS school Austin Peay all the way back in 1978. He’s been a respected football mind ever since, though he’s never served as a coordinator at the pro level. He served under Andy Reid for 18 years — following him from the Eagles to the Chiefs — before making his way to Baltimore. He’s been a trusted lieutenant of John Harbaugh, and his endorsement helped him win the job.
Unfortunately, it seems that he will not get the opportunity to patch things up with Deshaun Watson. Watson — who was a big proponent of 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh — wants out. Reportedly, he’s not even interested in chatting about it with the new Texans head coach.
The Texans’ bypassed Saleh, but they considered a number of big names, as shown in PFR’s 2021 Head Coaching Search Tracker:
- Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator:
- Joe Brady, Panthers offensive coordinator
- Jim Caldwell, former Colts and Lions head coach
- Matt Eberflus, Colts defensive coordinator
- Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern head coach: Rumored candidate
- Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator:
- Josh McCown, Texans quarterback
- Arthur Smith, Titans offensive coordinator, hired by the Falcons
- Brandon Staley, Rams defensive coordinator, hired by the Chargers
Ultimately, Culley came away with the job. And, no matter what happens with Watson, it sounds as though he’ll have offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on board. The OC has drawn interest from other teams, but the Texans are still blocking requests for him.