Deshaun Watson remains unhappy with the Texan organization and still wants an exchange, repeating this extremely firm stance in a brief remote conversation with new coach David Culley, league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Watson informed Culley, “I don’t want to be here,” during that discussion last Friday. ESPN first reported Thursday’s conversation.
Watson recently told people that he will not throw another one for the Texans.
This marked the first conversation between Culley and the three-time Pro Bowl passer, who officially requested an exchange. The Texans’ position on Watson – who signed a $ 156 million contract last September, which includes a guaranteed $ 111 million – remains unchanged.
They do not plan to replace the former Clemson star who led the NFL with a franchise record of 4,833 passing yards last season. Texas President and CEO Cal McNair recently told The Chronicle: “Deshaun is Texan and will be Texan”.
Culley, after being hired last month, insisted that Watson would remain Texan.
“He’s a Houston Texan,” said Culley. “I want him to be a Houston Texan, and the reason I am in this position is because he will be a Houston Texan.”
The status quo and stalemate remain in place, an stalemate that could lead to one of the highest profile divorces in NFL history, barring the highly unlikely scenario of a reconciliation.
Watson was upset by the controversial switch from the Texas All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona last season. He barely signed his blockbuster contract due to reservations about the organization.
When Watson failed to gain input from the hiring process that led to new general manager Nick Caserio and Culley, his frustration overflowed to the point that now, the sources emphasize, there is no way he could change his mind and play for the Texans again.
He recently removed all mentions of Texans from his social media profiles, the equivalent of no longer being an official Instagram in a relationship.
“Loyalty is everything”, Watson wrote on social networks Thursday, while he quoted an enigmatic rap lyrics. “Never forget that.”
It was important for Watson to have a contractual wording in his business that included an annual no-deal clause that required him to give written approval for any deal. This essentially allows him to choose his own destiny and veto any unwanted franchise from negotiating for him.
Among the teams that Watson would consider: Dolphins, 49ers and Broncos. The Panthers are expected to be Watson’s aggressive suitor if he becomes available.
The Jets have been linked to Watson frequently, but there is a belief in league circles that New York would prefer to use its four first round draft choices in the next two drafts to continue to improve its overall roster rather than spend a lot of capital. draft and sending newbies established in a potential trade.
One source theorized that it would require the equivalent of four to five choices from the first round draft to turn the Texans’ heads, since Watson is one of the most dynamic and proven players in the game, is an extremely high-profile individual and is in the prime of his career at 25.