Report: Texans demands for Deshaun Watson trade revealed
The Houston Texans are still holding out on all hope that they’ll be able to find a trade suitor for disgruntled franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, but they’re not planning on lowering the price.
Watson has been under investigation by both the NFL and police since Aug. 18 after 22 women accused the quarterback of various acts of sexual assault and harassment. He first requested a trade this past spring, but with the sexual misconduct clouding his playing status, many NFL teams have either backed out of trade talks or have sought out protection, if an agreement is reached.
The Texans’ current demands in a trade for Watson include acquiring at least five assets, including three first-round picks, and they have no desire to decrease those demands, according to The Athletic. The report adds that Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross — who previously distanced himself from Watson trade talks and said then-head coach Brian Flores was the man responsible for the pursuit — is, in fact, interested in trading for Watson. After firing Flores, the Dolphins could still be a suitor for Watson, per The Athletic, but the Texans still want the high price of at least three first-round picks and five total assets.
The Texans and Dolphins were unable to agree to terms on a trade for Watson earlier this season. Details emerged on Tuesday, Nov. 2, illustrating the events leading up to the deadline and why, exactly, the Dolphins backed out. A report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross actually received permission to speak to Watson and — as Florio pointed out — “the Texans would have had no reason to authorize such communications if there was zero chance of a trade happening.”
Back in November, Pro Football Talk reported that the two sides were actually closing in on a deal last week, explaining why Ross was granted permission to speak with Watson. Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract, and he’s previously indicated that Miami was one of the few, if not the only location for which he’d waive the clause, so the Dolphins owner met with Watson the night before the deadline.
Then, as Pro Football Talk explained, the Texans caught wind of a potential settlement of the 22 pending civil lawsuits against Watson, causing Houston to drive up the price. This would suggest that if the civil lawsuits against Watson are in fact diffused via settlement, then it would be even more likely that Watson is welcomed back into the NFL.
After driving up the price, “talks cratered, and the two sides never reached a deal,” Florio wrote.
The Dolphins first emerged as a frontrunner to land Watson in late August, and while head coach Brian Flores has vehemently denied the rumors, going so far as to continue supporting Dolphins’ starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami has remained in constant conversations regarding Watson ever since.
A former Pro Bowl selection with the Texans and quarterback for the Clemson Tigers, Watson led Clemson to the College Football playoff twice, including a national championship victory over Alabama in 2017.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio provides Deshaun Watson update
Watson spent all season on the bench waiting for clarity on his legal bouts, but a resolution still seems distant, and Texans general manager Nick Caserio suggested that Watson’s Houston career could be over.
Watson has had a stellar four-year career with the Texans, totaling 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions but spent his fifth in disgruntled fashion. He made three Pro Bowl rosters and in 2020 was the NFL’s leader in passing yards with 4,823, but in the offseason, controversy arose: 22 civil lawsuits filed in March and April alleged Watson of various degrees of sexual assault and misconduct. Watson has been under investigation by both the NFL and police since Aug. 18 but has not been charged criminally.
“There’s been some commentary that more than likely would not be the case,” Caserio said, when asked if there was a possibility Watson plays again for the Texans. “I think we just have to be open-minded and just take the information and process it, then ultimately make the decision we feel makes the most sense for everybody involved, whatever that looks like.”
Caserio cast doubt on Watson’s future in a Texans uniform in an appearance on SportsRadio 610. But after efforts to move Watson via a trade fell short, it might be difficult for Houston to receive anything for his dismissal.