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Saturday’s excellent SI.com article that analyzed a couple of chaotic weeks for Texans reports, among other things, that quarterback Deshaun Watson “just wants to leave.” It is quite possible that it did, but it has not officially asked for that to happen.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Watson has not yet specifically requested an exchange.
Although moving in that direction, Watson realizes that using these words will take the situation beyond the point of no return. This means that, for now, it has not passed the point of no return.
But it will not be easy to change things. The same organization that made the mess now will have to undo it.
It hasn’t been going well so far. The Texans invited Watson to offer suggestions for both hiring GM and hiring the head coach. He did, and the team disregarded his opinion. The Texans initially ignored his recommendation that the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, be interviewed for the position of chief coach. As reported last night, Texans completely ignored Watson’s recommendation that former 49ers defensive coordinator (and now Jets head coach) Robert Saleh be interviewed for the job.
For those who point out that defenders should not play this type of role in managing a team, two points: (1) Texans He asked him to play that role; and (2) since defenders are expected to be almost members of the administration, why shouldn’t they play that role in managing a team?
Consider the specific dynamics in Houston. Texas owner Cal McNair and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby decided to hire Nick Caserio to serve as the next GM. How are McNair and Easterby more qualified than Watson to make that decision?
McNair and Easterby made three previous general manager decisions, none of which went well. First, they tried (and failed) to hire Caserio. Second, they decided to proceed without a GM Third, they decided to make ex-coach Bill O’Brien GM, a decision that was undone after just four games in 2020.
As a result of these decisions, Texans did not get enough for Jadeveon Clowney (and paid much of his 2019 salary), Texans gave up a lot for Laremy Tunsil and Texans were stolen by Cardinals by recipient DeAndre Hopkins.
So what can Texans do at this point to avoid an official Watson exchange request? The only thing to do is to hire the best coach possible and wait for the new coach to figure out how to get Watson to stop asking to be traded.