Quarterback Deshaun Watson met with new Houston Texans coach David Culley last Friday, according to sources, and informed Culley that he has no intention of joining the team again.
Upset about the way the organization has operated in recent years, Watson asked the Texans to switch him and has had very little contact with the team since the end of the season. The conversation with Culley is believed to have been the first of the two. Culley said at his introductory press conference that he expected Watson to be on the team in 2021.
But, according to sources, Watson’s message to Culley at Friday’s meeting was that nothing has changed at his end and he would still like to be negotiated. So far, Texans have told interested teams that they do not intend to negotiate with Watson, who last summer signed a $ 156 million contract extension for four years until 2025.
Trading Watson would cost Texans $ 21.6 million in dead money compared to this year’s salary cap – a significant success since his maximum number, if he is on the team, is just $ 15.94 million.
Any team that acquires the young superstar would get a great deal in 2021, as Watson is scheduled to earn just $ 10.54 million in salary this year, before that number jumps to $ 35 million in 2022, $ 37 million in 2023 and $ 32 million each in 2024 and 2025.
If Texans decide not to exchange 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 lost preseason game. In the unlikely scenario that Watson chooses to retire, Texans can raise $ 21.6 million.
Watson’s exchange request came after he was unhappy with the team’s process of hiring new general manager Nick Caserio in early January.
Watson set career records for the 2020 season in passing yards, touchdowns and percentage completion. He also launched seven career low interceptions. His 33 touchdowns and 4,823 passing yards were franchise records in a single season.
He is the leader of the NFL career as a percentage of completion with 67.8%, ahead of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. In 2020, Watson became only the 11th player in NFL history to complete at least 70% of his passes in one season.
ESPN’s Sarah Barshop contributed to this report.