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Saturday’s excellent SI.com article, which looked at a chaotic few weeks for the Texans, reports, among other things, that fullback Deshaun Watson “just wants to”. He does make it possible, but he has not officially asked for it to happen.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Watson has not yet specifically requested a trade.
As it moves in that direction, Watson realizes that using these words will take the situation beyond the point of no return. This means that for now it is not over the point of return.
But it will not be easy to turn things around. The same organization that made the mess will now have to make it.
It has not gone well so far. The Texans invited Watson to provide input for both the GM lease and the head coaching lease. He did so, and the team disregarded his input. The Texans initially ignored his recommendation that Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy be questioned as head coach. As reported last night, the Texans completely ignored Watson’s recommendation that former 49ers defense coordinator (and now Jets head coach) Robert Saleh be interviewed for the post.
Those who point out that quarterbacks should not play such a role in managing a team are two points: (1) the Texans asked him to play that role; and (2) since there are expected to be quarterbacks almost board members, why wouldn’t they play that kind of role in running a team?
Consider the specific dynamics in Houston. Texas owner Cal McNair and soccer chief executive Jack Easterby have made the decision to appoint Nick Caserio to serve as the next GM. How are McNair and Easterby more capable than Watson of making the call?
McNair and Easterby made three decisions about the general manager, none of which went well. First, they tried (and failed) to appoint Caserio. Second, they decided to continue without a GM Third, they decided to make former head coach Bill O’Brien the GM, a decision that was overturned after only four games in 2020.
As a result of these decisions, the Texans did not get enough for Jadeveon Clowney (and paid too much of his 2019 salary), the Texans gave up too much for Laremy Tunsil and the Texans were sought by the Cardinals for receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
What can the Texans do at this point to prevent an official trade request from being received from Watson? The only thing you have to do is get the best rental delivery they can, and hope the new coach can figure out how to stop Watson from asking that he be traded.