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Given the spate of reports about the current unhappiness of Texan full-back Deshaun Watson, it makes sense to look at the player’s option.
It also makes sense to look at its options, because honestly there is fire under the thickening. Although the Texans are trying to downplay the seriousness of the situation, things are not going well at the moment. And while Watson has yet to ask for a trade, it should come as no surprise to anyone if he does.
So if Watson officially asks to be traded and the Texans, who will surely hear from potentially interested teams who have heard enough to make a call, refuse to move him, what can Watson do?
He can launch a PR campaign to get them to change their minds. If Watson, who two years ago would surely have been more measured and less provocative than Antonio Brown, made his desires known in a calm and rational way, he could find enough public support. Even Texans fans can hear him and not be particularly upset, given the overall dysfunction the organization is currently engulfing – and given the team’s apparent willingness to switch the bait to make Watson hear a voice in the big picture. rentals of this off-season.
The Texans may continue to refuse, but as it becomes more and more clear that Watson wants out, the Texans will inevitably get more and more offers for the balance of his contract. The Texans can shout no and no and no and no, and all that is needed is for Houston to whisper yes once.
If nothing happens before the start of the off-season, Watson can disconnect. While some will say that Watson, if it comes down to it, will do anything he has to do to be good when the season starts, Watson looks like a man who does not play games or make idle threats. If he’s done with the Texans and is determined to get out, it should come as no surprise to anyone if he stays away from the off-season program.
And good luck getting ready for the 2021 season with a new coach and no starting quarters.
Watson could also boycott training camp. Yes, it will cost him $ 50,000 a day under the 2020 CBA. Yes, the CBA 2020 also prevents the team from waiving the fines if / when he arrives. But if Watson is willing enough to pay the money to get out of Houston, it’s his privilege.
He will also owe the Texans a portion of his signing bonus, if he refuses to practice. He has $ 21.6 million in unearned bonus money, which applies to each of the next four years at $ 5.4 million per year. His future guarantees can also be declared void if he refuses to show up for camp.
Instead of holding out, Watson can hold out. For example, he may be injured or ‘injured’. He could also do the minimum by refusing to show up early or stay up late or study film or lead his teammates or do anything other than say, “I just work here.”
When considering what Watson is going to do, it is important to consider what cornerback Jalen Ramsey did when he decided he wanted to be out of Jacksonville, as both players are represented by David Mulugheta. In the case of Ramsey, however, the desire to trade arose during the season. The rules made it virtually impossible for Ramsey to leave the team and wait to be traded.
For Watson, withholding services may be the best option, as long as he never shows up. With Watson already ignoring the calls from the team owner (and the team owner trying to pull up when it’s off), there’s a chance Watson wants to go out, that he’s going to dig and that he’s digging to the Texans will make it clear that trade him or not, he is not playing for them this year – or maybe ever again.
Alternatively, the Texans can do everything in their power to undo the damage they have done to the relationship. It applies to them, and it’s one of the natural by-products to give the keys to an executive VP of football operations / interim GM who has no business.
In assessing what the Texans can or want to do to resign Watson, it is important to remember at all times that the Texans are the team whose founder has the phrase “We can not let the prisoners run.”