HOUSTON – A day after it was reported that Deshaun Watson had requested a trade, Houston new head coach David Culley said during his introductory news conference that he accepted the position, knowing that Watson was the Texans’ quarterback.
“He’s the Houston Texans quarterback, and that’s what I was worried about,” Culley said when asked about his knowledge of Watson’s status when he was interviewed. ‘That’s all I knew and whatever was said about what he wanted to do or did not want to do. All I know is this …
“He’s a Houston Texan. And I wanted to become a Houston Texan. And the reason I’m in this position today is because I knew he was going to be a Houston Texan. The things that are said outside are irrelevant to me. “
Watson, who signed a four-year, $ 156 million four-year contract extension in September, is under contract until 2025. He has a no-trade clause, but given the length of his contract and the possibility of keeping him with franchise labels for three years, the Texans could choose not to trade him and he would by the 2028 season have control over his rights.
Watson’s trade request comes after he was apparently unhappy with the process the team hired earlier in January to hire Nick Caserio.
“Organizationally, just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” Caserio said. ‘He has had a huge impact on this organization, a huge impact on many people, a huge impact on this team and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring, once we the corridor is.
“And we have no interest in trading the player. We have a great plan, a good vision for him and for this team, and his role in this team, and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time together. spend this spring with him. “
If the Texans choose not to trade Watson, he may decide not to report to mandatory team activities or training camps, but at a cost. Houston can fine Watson $ 95,877 for missing the mini-camp and can fine him $ 50,000 a day for each day he is missed, plus one week’s salary – $ 620,000 – for each game missed before the season. In the unlikely scenario that Watson chooses to retire, the Texans could raise $ 21.6 million.