HOUSTON – The day after it was reported that Deshaun Watson had requested an exchange, the new Houston Texans coach, David Culley, said during his introductory press conference that he accepted the position knowing that Watson was the Texans’ quarterback.
“He’s the quarterback for the Houston Texans, and that’s all I care about,” said Culley, when asked about his knowledge of Watson’s status when he was being interviewed for the job. “That’s all I knew and everything that was being said about what he wanted or didn’t want to do. All I know is this …
“He’s a Houston Texan. And I wanted to be 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 external things that were being said are irrelevant to me.”
Watson, who signed a $ 156 million four-year contract extension in September, is under contract until the 2025 season. He has a no-deal clause, but given the length of his contract and the possibility to book it by franchise for three years, Texans could choose not to trade it and would have control of their rights until the 2028 season.
Watson’s exchange request came after he was unhappy with the team’s process of hiring Nick Caserio in early January.
“Organizationally, I just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio. “He had a big impact on this organization, a big impact on a lot of people, a big impact on this team, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring, once we start.
“And we have no interest in changing the player. We have a big plan, a big vision for him and this team, and his role in this team, and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring.”
If Texans decide not to trade Watson, he may choose not to report to the team’s mandatory activities or training camp, but at a cost. Houston can fine Watson $ 95,877 for losing the mini-field and can fine $ 50,000 a day for each day of camp lost plus a week’s wages – $ 620,000 – for each preseason game lost. In the unlikely scenario that Watson chooses to retire, Texans can raise $ 21.6 million.