HOUSTON – Houston head coach David Culley has said for the first time since his inaugural press conference that the team is committed to quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“We’re very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback,” Culley said. “He’s our quarterback. He’s the only man we’re contracting right now.”
Watson negotiated less than six months after signing a $ 156 million contract extension, which runs through the 2025 season. Watson’s trade request comes after the quarter was dissatisfied with the process the team used to hire general manager Nick Caserio.
Watson has a non-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 would have their rights through the 2028 season control.
Asked if the Texans would trade Watson, Culley said, “Deshaun Watson is a Houston-Texan. And we’re committed to him.”
Culley said “there is no emergency plan at the moment” if Watson prefers to sit out rather than play for Houston.
The new Texans head coach met with Watson over Zoom in mid-February, where the quarterback, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN, reiterated that he never wants to play for Houston again. Culley declined to say what the two discussed and said he wants to keep it between him and Watson.
Asked if Watson is similarly committed to the Texans, Culley says the team is committed to the quarterback, Culley said, “Yes, he is.”
Referring to the commitment the Texans made to Watson by signing him to a contract extension, Culley said: ‘I feel the same commitment would be made to us [from Watson] also. “