It is one thing for new general manager Nick Caserio to say the Houston Texans have “zero interest” in trading quarterback Deshaun Watson, as he declared on Jan. 29 in new coach David Culley’s introductory press conference. It is another to follow through with that zero interest.
According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Texans are maintaining their position that they have no interest in trading Watson.
Of course, it could be part of a ploy to drive up Watson’s price tag even higher by the time the NFL draft comes around in April. The longer that Watson is unavailable for trade, the greater the cost to attain his services.
If the Texans intend to not relinquish Watson’s services to another team, then the next phase will be the holdout the three-time Pro Bowler could stage, including missing all of the offseason workouts, mandatory minicamp, training camp, and a lot more.
“The only thing I knew about this whole situation at that point was is that I was being interviewed for this job to be the head coach,” Culley said on Jan. 29. “And I did know at that point Deshaun Watson’s a Houston Texan. He’s the quarterback of the Houston Texans. That’s all that I was concerned about, and that’s all I knew. And whatever has been said about what was, what he wanted to do or he didn’t want to do, all I knew is this, having been in this business this long, he is a Houston Texan and I want him to be a Houston Texan. And the reason I’m in this position today is because I knew he’s going to be a Houston Texan.”
If Watson can remain with the Texans and also resolve his issues with the organization, they may have a chance to recover from the 4-12 finish in 2020.
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