Let the stare begin.
Although quarterback Deshaun Watson officially requested an exchange, according to several reports on Thursday, Texans also have some potential recourse to pressure him to stay in Houston.
Watson certainly has a lot of advantage, with a no-trade clause in his contract that allows him to have a say in where he can land, but Texans can also play hard and hit Watson in the wallet if he decides to hold on to even a trade materializes.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Texans can fine Watson $ 95,877 for lost mini-camp, $ 50,000 for each lost camp day and $ 620,000 for each lost preseason game. In a nuclear scenario, if Watson retired instead of playing for the Texans again, they could also raise $ 21.6 million, via ESPN.
Still, 25-year-old Watson signed a four-year, $ 160 million extension in September with $ 73 million guaranteed in the subscription. There is no guarantee that the fines will work to get Watson to continue his career with the Texans.
“Here is the one thing that will impact this situation with Watson more than anything – his willingness to sit back and lose money,” an analyst at NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah tweeted. “I think he’s a guy with a lot of principles and he would be willing to do that. That’s how he gains an advantage. Threat of financial loss doesn’t bother him. “
It is a complicated situation for new general manager Nick Caserio and coach David Culley to enter. The Texans hired Culley as their new coach on Wednesday night, but that “hasn’t changed and won’t change Watson’s thinking,” ESPN reported.